A year after he died, former Cubs third baseman and radio broadcaster Ron Santo has finally been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. It is a somewhat bittersweet day for his family and especially his fans, who had lobbied hard for years to see him inducted in to the Hall while he was still alive.
In a conference call with reporters after the announcement was made, his widow, Vicki, said the family was thrilled that he had finally made it into the Hall of Fame and that she was sure Ron was “up there with a smile on his face, pumping his arm and saying ‘Yes, Yes.’ “
While Santo said during his speech when his number 10 was retired at Wrigley Field on September 28, 2003, that the flag with his number on the left field foul pole was his Hall of Fame, everyone knew he really wanted to actually be inducted, and that he deserved it.
According to Vicki, he had told her that he wished he could be inducted while he was still alive. “That’s not too much to ask, is it,” she stated during the call. While that did not happen, Vicki seemed to take comfort in the fact that he was inducted into the Hall one year after his death.
Billy Williams was on the selection committee and he and the Cubs lobbied other members to make them realize all the contributions Santo made during his career. Santo received 15 of the 16 votes.
“All who knew Ron or welcomed him into their homes on the radio recognize he was so much more than a Hall of Fame baseball player. He was the beating heart of Cubs fans,” said Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts. “As an athlete, he was our All-Star. As a radio analyst, he carried our passion. For those battling illness or disease, he remains an inspiration. And for all of us who had the honor of calling him our friend, he is forever beloved. “
Santo is the 10th Cubs player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His induction ceremony will take on July 22, 2012, in Cooperstown, NY.
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