So You Think You Can Santo?

WGN-AM radio says "we know we're not going to replace Ron Santo"

It's time to find an announcer who can fill Ron Santo's cleats.

Santo died December 2 of bladder cancer at the age of 70, and now the Cubs and WGN Radio are looking for a new game analyst in the radio booth, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Dave Eanet, WGN-AM 720 sports director, acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation.

"It's not something we wanted to plunge right into," Eanet said to the paper. "But we're not too far from spring training and there is a vacant seat in the booth. Having said that, we know we're not going to replace Ron Santo."

Cubs broadcaster Pat Hughes, who just signed a 5-year extension, is also participating in the three-week search.

The job description on the Tribune Company's website says: "Preferred candidate will have played with the Chicago Cubs - or played major league baseball with previous broadcast experience as a game analyst."

Eanet told the Chicago Tribune Dave Otto and Keith Moreland, who subbed for Santo, will be interviewed. However, no word on whether any other candidates made it to the preliminary phase.

The team and station hope to hire the new broadcaster before the annual Cubs Convention January 14-16 at the Hilton Chicago. 

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