Cubs Legend Ron Santo Dies

Santo

Condolences to family, friends and fans of longtime CHICAGO CUBS radio analyst and former third baseman RON SANTO, who died THURSDAY night (12/3) in ARIZONA of complications from bladder cancer.  SANTO, who had battled diabetes (resulting in the amputation of his legs), heart disease and cancer over the years, was 70.

SANTO played 15 seasons in the majors, hitting .277 with 342 homers and 1,331 RBIs and being named a NATIONAL LEAGUE All-Star nine times, but despite support from CUBS fans, he was never elected to the Hall of Fame.  He played for the CUBS from 1960 through 1973, and was traded to the WHITE SOX for his final season in 1974.  

SANTO joined the CUBS radio crew on TRIBUNE Talk WGN-A/CHICAGO in 1990, mostly alongside play-by-play voice PAT HUGHES.

"Today we lost one of the most beloved CUBS of all-time. RON's voice was the true soundtrack of summer in CHICAGO and his presence in the broadcast booth will forever be missed.  Our heart goes out to the SANTO family during this difficult time," said WGN VP/GM TOM LANGMYER.

WGN will air a special retrospective show on SANTO's life from 8:30a-noon (CT) TODAY, hosted by DAVID KAPLAN and DAVE EANET. The station will also rebroadcast KAPLAN's "CUBS CONFIDENTIAL WITH RON SANTO" at noon.  The station's midday host JOHN WILLIAMS is also asking CUBS fans to click their heels at 2:10p (CT) TODAY in tribute to SANTO's signature post-win move, and send photos and videos to the station's website or come down to WGN's Showcase Studio on Michigan Avenue to do it live.

In addition, the station will replay SANTO and HUGHES' call of KERRY WOOD's 20-strikeout game from MAY 6th, 1998 on SATURDAY at 1p, followed by a replay of the "CUBS CONFIDENTIAL" interview at 3p and a special SANTO edition of "SPORTS CENTRAL" with GLEN KOZLOWSKI and JIM MEMOLO at 4p.  On SUNDAY, after another replay of the "CUBS CONFIDENTIAL" interview at 1p, WGN will air SANTO and HUGHES' call of CARLOS ZAMBRANO's no-hitter from SEPTEMBER 14th, 2008 at 2p and another special "SPORTS CENTRAL" with GLEN KOZLOWSKI and JILL CARLSON at 4p.

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