MUScoop

MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: Henry Sugar on December 03, 2010, 07:49:27 AM

Title: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: Henry Sugar on December 03, 2010, 07:49:27 AM
I am a Cubs fan because of Pat Hughes and Ron Santo.  He was never a great color guy, but I could and did spend hours listening to their broadcasts of games.

RIP

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-ron-santo-chicago-cubs-obit,0,1699814.story
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: reinko on December 03, 2010, 08:07:53 AM
Milwaukee-born Brewers fan...Cubs fan today.  Santo was such an inspirational figure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9XtDyDUjIU

Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: GGGG on December 03, 2010, 08:13:10 AM
Worst.  Broadcaster.  Ever.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: bilsu on December 03, 2010, 08:20:06 AM
Worst.  Broadcaster.  Ever.
Way to show respect for the dead.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: GGGG on December 03, 2010, 08:22:59 AM
Meh...he's dead.  I'm sure he doesn't really care.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: mu-rara on December 03, 2010, 08:35:28 AM
Santo, Kessinger, Beckert and Banks...the infield third to first...Vince and Lou setting the infield

Let's go...batter up...we're taking the afternoon off...


great memories
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: Canadian Dimes on December 03, 2010, 08:36:08 AM
Superbar this Please....
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: brewcity77 on December 03, 2010, 08:38:14 AM
Santo certainly wasn't the most astute, but I've never heard an announcer with such passion for a team. Ronnie certainly loved his Cubs, and while he may not have been the kind of broadcaster that educated the audience, there was no one better at relating to them in terms of enjoying the ups and (sadly more frequently) suffering the downs that the team went through. Couple that with all the work he did for JDF and you can't find many people in the business more genuine and giving of themselves than Santo. He will be missed.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: LastWarrior on December 03, 2010, 08:44:01 AM
Meh...he's dead.  I'm sure he doesn't really care.

I care dipcrap!  The man did more for juvenile diabetes awareness than anyone.  Have some g*d damn decency!
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: NavinRJohnson on December 03, 2010, 08:46:26 AM
I care dipcrap!  The man did more for juvenile diabetes awareness than anyone.  Have some g*d damn decency!

What's indecent about saying he was a bad broadcaster. I'm assuming Sultan said it when he was alive, as I did. Why shouldn't he say it when he's dead? Did he celebrate his death? Say he was a bad person? All he did was state what is as true today as it was yesterday.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: reinko on December 03, 2010, 08:46:31 AM
I care dipcrap!  The man did more for juvenile diabetes awareness than anyone.  Have some g*d damn decency!

Easy.  I would put the thousands of doctors and nurses in this country that treat this disease on daily basis, and make it their life work ahead of the work than Ron did.  Not taking anything away from what he did of course.  RIP.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: mu-rara on December 03, 2010, 08:50:35 AM
What's indecent about saying he was a bad broadcaster. I'm assuming Sultan said it when he was alive, as I did. Why shouldn't he say it when he's dead? Did he celebrate his death? Say he was a bad person? All he did was state what is as true today as it was yesterday.

Why concentrate on what you didn't like.  He was a great Cub player. 
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: LastWarrior on December 03, 2010, 08:54:15 AM
What's indecent about saying he was a bad broadcaster. I'm assuming Sultan said it when he was alive, as I did. Why shouldn't he say it when he's dead? Did he celebrate his death? Say he was a bad person? All he did was state what is as true today as it was yesterday.

Timing... Do you really think it's appropriate to make that comment on the day he passed?  What would you say if on the day that Al passed some fan from another team came here and said he was the worst coach ever.  He's entitled to his opinion but the timing and place  are not appropriate.  Didn't your parents raise you people better?
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: tower912 on December 03, 2010, 08:55:03 AM
There was a time when this board would go at least a few hours before turning to the dark side.   I am a Cub hater, but I have whiled away the hours with my dad over a beer listening to Santo do a game.   God's Blessings on him and his family and my condolences to the Cubs fans who enjoyed him so much over the years.  
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: PuertoRicanNightmare on December 03, 2010, 08:59:48 AM
I'm the biggest Cub fan around and Santo was an endearing figure, for sure. But he WAS a terrible announcer. In fact, it was his awfulness as a broadcaster that made him endearing. He was not nearly as popular as a player. In fact, many opponents loathed him and he embarrassed more than one teammate publicly.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that Sultant is right, but his badness was what made him popular.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: Henry Sugar on December 03, 2010, 09:35:35 AM
June 29, 2007 - Aramis Ramirez hits a walk-off home run to beat the Brewers (attached).

Santo doesn't do anything but scream like a banshee.  It's awesome.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: TallTitan34 on December 03, 2010, 09:37:25 AM
I love Santo, but he was an awful broadcaster.  One of his famous lines was asking Pat how the runner got to second base.  Despite this, he connected with his audience better than anyone.  He was a fan not a broadcaster.  And I didn't mind him in the booth one bit.  Him and Pat had a great chemistry.

Len Kasper said today that what you heard in the booth was the same as how Ron was off the field. As a result it felt like you knew him.

I assume WGN will be running "This Old Cub" at some point soon.  If you haven't seen it I highly recommend it.  It shows everything Ron went through as both a player and commentator with diabetes.  

Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: TallTitan34 on December 03, 2010, 09:38:37 AM
Nice audio Sugar!

The Score has been playing Ronnie clips all day.  One of my favorites......

Pat Hughes:  Here at spring training fans have seats right below our booth.  A fan has stood up  blocking my view of the plate, batter, and umpire.  Ronnie would you like to take over?

Ron Santo (yelling in background):   SIT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!   WILL YOU SIT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: MUfan12 on December 03, 2010, 09:41:11 AM
June 29, 2007 - Aramis Ramirez hits a walk-off home run to beat the Brewers (attached).

Santo doesn't do anything but scream like a banshee.  It's awesome.


I don't even have to listen to that to feel like I was punched in the gut all over again. Ugh.

On the opposite end of the spectrum... Who has the Brant Brown call?
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: MarquetteFan94 on December 03, 2010, 09:42:27 AM
Listening to a Cubs game won't be the same.  The chemistry between him and Pat Hughes was a pleasure to listen to.  He announced with the same passion as he lived his life.  He was as big a Cubs fan as anyone on the planet and announced the games that way.  Heaven forbid.  The guy was a gem in every sense, always had time for people, always had a positive disposition, never complained about his health and tirelessly worked to promote his foundation and a cure for diabetes.

All of the classless comments about him are completely shallow and worthless as he was always quick to make fun of himself for not being a great announcer or having his facts straight....or knowing how a runner got to second base....or wearing a hair piece for that matter.

RIP Ronny.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: Lennys Tap on December 03, 2010, 10:27:59 AM
I played in a two day golf event that Santo participated in. After golf the first day, 16 of us played cards - 8 vs 8, a "team" game of gin. Santo was on my "squad" - a really great guy and a what a competitor (cards, golf, anything) - I'm a lifelong Sox fan, but a Ron Santo fan too.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: Henry Sugar on December 03, 2010, 10:32:25 AM
Desipio checks in

http://www.desipio.com/?p=3276
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: rocky_warrior on December 03, 2010, 10:33:31 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_16768504#ixzz174Ddadxr
Quote
Denver Post sports writer Adam Schefter

AS: Best part of being the Cubs' color commentator on WGN?

RS: I get a lot of letters saying, "How do I become a color commentator?" I say, "All you have to do is play 15 years in the big leagues and you get hired." I was so horrible my first year, and this tells you why WGN is so wonderful.

At the end of that year, I went to the general manager and I said, "This is not for me, I'm not myself." He said, "That's the problem, Ron. We know your personality. All we want you to do is be you. We're giving you the independence to be you." And boy, that's all I needed.

AS: Nicest thing somebody ever did for you?

RS: It just happened — the Chicago Cubs organization retiring my number.

That's why I've been very disappointed about not making the Hall of Fame. I just thought if I get in, I'm sure they would retire my number. I didn't get in, and when I was told, John McDonough, the vice president of marketing and broadcasting for the Tribune Company, said, "Hey, Ron, would you meet me in the board room?" I was in the board room and all of a sudden I see Dennis FitzSimmons, Jim Hendry, Andy MacPhail, Mark McGuire, all the top executives. I said, "OK, what's going on?" So John sits down and says, "Ron, when we're going to let somebody go, we all like to be in the same room." And I said, "If you're letting me go, you might as well shoot me." And that's when Andy MacPhail pulled out my uniform and he said, "This will never be worn again."

Ahhh, I was so emotional. I tell you, I'm an emotional guy, but not that emotional. Now my uniform is hanging there down the left-field line below Ernie Banks, and Billy Williams' is across from us. And I know after I'm gone, people are going to walk in there and ask, "Who is that No. 10?"
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: JWags85 on December 03, 2010, 11:53:58 AM
June 29, 2007 - Aramis Ramirez hits a walk-off home run to beat the Brewers (attached).

Santo doesn't do anything but scream like a banshee.  It's awesome.


That was why I liked him.  I don't, well I guess didn't, love the radio broadcasts a ton, but if it was a close game or they were getting beat on, I tuned in cause Santo was priceless.  The only thing that made my smile during that horrible Dodgers series in 2008 was listening to Santo cause he sounded like an old Eastern European women in mourning.  Every Manny jack or Cubs error made him moan like he was being stabbed.  He wasn't Bob Uecker but he loved the Cubs and his passion was fun to listen to.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: MUEng92 on December 03, 2010, 12:24:50 PM
I would put the thousands of doctors and nurses in this country that treat this disease on daily basis, and make it their life work ahead of the work than Ron did.  Not taking anything away from what he did of course.  RIP.

According to the JDRF website, Santo's work led to more than $60 million in donations.  I would say a good chunk of those doctors and nurses wouldn't have a job without Santo's work.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: Moonboots on December 03, 2010, 12:43:17 PM
As a Brewer fan, was never a fan of his broadcasting for obvious reasons, but there's no denying the emotion he brought to the booth and what he meant to Cubs nation. Most organizations would be so lucky to have a figure like him.

As a lifelong Cubs hater, I have no problem saying baseball lost a great member of its family today. My condolences to the Cubs fans on this board.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: Blue Horseshoe on December 03, 2010, 12:46:57 PM
I wish I could have the audio from the Brant Brown incident as my ringer.

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-baseball-stories/2010/09/brant-brown.html
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: IAmMarquette on December 03, 2010, 01:56:43 PM
According to the JDRF website, Santo's work led to more than $60 million in donations.  I would say a good chunk of those doctors and nurses wouldn't have a job without Santo's work.

Santo's work on behalf of JDRF is honorable, admirable, great, etc. I mean that sincerely. However, to say that MDs, RNs, LPNs and the like would be out of work were it not for Mr. Santo's work is simply misguided. One great thing about working in healthcare in the US is that there are more jobs than there are practitioners to fill them.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: Lighthouse 84 on December 03, 2010, 04:19:26 PM
Lin Brehmer played A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request this morning on WXRT.  While it was autobiographical, it could have been written about Ron Santo.

Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: GGGG on December 03, 2010, 04:58:17 PM
Timing... Do you really think it's appropriate to make that comment on the day he passed?  What would you say if on the day that Al passed some fan from another team came here and said he was the worst coach ever.  He's entitled to his opinion but the timing and place  are not appropriate.  Didn't your parents raise you people better?


I can't share my opinion that he was the worst broadcaster ever on a Marquette basketball message board? 
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: Dr. Blackheart on December 03, 2010, 05:02:09 PM
An original and inspiration for generations.  Finally made the HOF--the big one!

(http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-baseball-stories/S.jpg)
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: SaintPaulWarrior on December 03, 2010, 05:04:51 PM

I can't share my opinion that he was the worst broadcaster ever on a Marquette basketball message board? 

+1...and he retired as a member of the White Sox....exactly like Alan Page retiring as a Chicago Bear.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: timinatorx3 on December 03, 2010, 11:11:23 PM
For me, what makes this especially tough is not losing a popular (albeit polarizing) broadcaster or a great former player, but the fact that Ron embodied the experience of a Cubs fan. Always having optimism despite the fact that nothing really ever seems to happen the way you hope or expect it to. He personified the thoughts and emotions of all Cubs fans. I kind of thought if there was any such thing as cosmic justice, Ron would have gotten to see the Cubs win it all, which is what he lived for. Again, it didn't happen.

Thank you for the memories #10.  
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: 77ncaachamps on December 04, 2010, 11:55:25 AM
I wish I could have the audio from the Brant Brown incident as my ringer.

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-baseball-stories/2010/09/brant-brown.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY-quZ7W9Jw
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: rugbydrummer on December 04, 2010, 08:40:12 PM
June 29, 2007 - Aramis Ramirez hits a walk-off home run to beat the Brewers (attached).

Santo doesn't do anything but scream like a banshee.  It's awesome.


<3 Aramis Ramirez, even if nobody says his name right ^_^
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: rugbydrummer on December 04, 2010, 09:00:28 PM
Santo's work on behalf of JDRF is honorable, admirable, great, etc. I mean that sincerely. However, to say that MDs, RNs, LPNs and the like would be out of work were it not for Mr. Santo's work is simply misguided. One great thing about working in healthcare in the US is that there are more jobs than there are practitioners to fill them.


I googled JDRF to be sure I was correct that it was a research foundation..... So are some MDs, RNs (and PAs/NPs!!) working in T1DM research?  Sure they are, but don't overlook those of us "working in the trenches"! Although I admit treating T1DMers is a bit rare for me personally....

Frankly, T2DM is a much more prevalent and worse public health issue... but T1 is no good either.  Do keep in mind it's more insurance companies & medicare/medicaid that are paying my salary vs research foundations, though. :)

Too bad those jobs mostly manifest themselves in the dusty corners of the country/state!! 
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: IAmMarquette on December 04, 2010, 09:57:08 PM

I googled JDRF to be sure I was correct that it was a research foundation..... So are some MDs, RNs (and PAs/NPs!!) working in T1DM research?  Sure they are, but don't overlook those of us "working in the trenches"! Although I admit treating T1DMers is a bit rare for me personally....

Frankly, T2DM is a much more prevalent and worse public health issue... but T1 is no good either.  Do keep in mind it's more insurance companies & medicare/medicaid that are paying my salary vs research foundations, though. :)

Too bad those jobs mostly manifest themselves in the dusty corners of the country/state!! 


No disrespect intended to PAs, NPs, PhDs, Lab assistants, etc. My post was in response to a previous post that listed doctors and nurses explicitly.
Title: Re: Ron Santo dead at 70
Post by: Henry Sugar on December 06, 2010, 09:16:50 AM
Honestly, Posnanski is the best

http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2010/12/greatest-player-not-in-hall.html