Ron Santo died Thursday night in Arizona after a prolonged battle with diabetes and cancer. His death sent ripples across the Chicago community and beyond.
No shortage of individuals weighed in on his passing:
“He lived for the Cubs and its fans, that’s what kept him going. Even 3-4 yrs ago we didn’t know how he did it yr to yr, but every spring training he got up, the cubs & its fans kept him going.” “People identified with him. He was who he was, he wasn’t the most polished, but he wasn’t up there for that. He was there to be himself and to tell it like it was. I don’t know you replace him,” said his son, Ron Jr.
“Ron Santo was a wonderful man, a hero on and off the field. He will be deeply missed and always remembered for his generosity and warm spirit,” said Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
“Anyone fortunate enough to meet Ron Santo met a man who cared about everything important in life,” said Governor Quinn. “Ron Santo cared deeply about his family, the Chicago Cubs and their fans throughout the world. Not only did he play major league baseball while suffering from diabetes, he also dedicated his life to finding a cure for the disease. Ron Santo was more than a great baseball player and announcer - he was a great person and all of Illinois mourns his passing."
“He was a person that didn’t complain, always had a smile on his face. Even though he didn’t talk about the HOF I personally know how imp that was to him. My only thought process now is to see that is fulfilled that he gets in the hof and gets the due recognition that is long overdue,” said hall of famer Andre Dawson.
“I couldn't understand, I couldn't wrap my brain around why Ron Santo wasn't in the Hall of Fame. not just what he did as a player and how he did it, playing all those years with diabetes, but we he did as a broadcaster. He brought so much to the game of baseball. On strictly number along I thought he should've been in Hall of Fame,” said Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster.
