Ronald Edward Santo was born on February 25, 1940 in Seattle,
Washington. At the age of 18 he was diagnosed with Type 1
diabetes, and was given a life expectancy of 25 years. In the early
years of his playing career, he carefully concealed his disease
fearing that if anyone found out, he would be forced into retirement.
Ron is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played
almost his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named a
National League All-Star 9 times during his 15 seasons of play, and
won five consecutive Gold Glove awards for fielding excellence.
Santo made his debut with the Cubs on June 26, 1960. He played
with the team until 1973, and finished his career with the Chicago
White Sox in 1974. During his 14-season run with the Cubs, Santo
hit 337 home runs which made him the first third baseman to hit over
300 home runs and win five Gold Gloves.
As part of the publicity surrounding "Ron Santo Day" at Wrigley Field
on August 28, 1971, he revealed his struggle with diabetes. As a
result of his diabetes Santo has had both his legs amputated below
the knee; the right in 2001 and the left in 2002 as well as a quadruple
bypass.
Washington. At the age of 18 he was diagnosed with Type 1
diabetes, and was given a life expectancy of 25 years. In the early
years of his playing career, he carefully concealed his disease
fearing that if anyone found out, he would be forced into retirement.
Ron is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played
almost his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named a
National League All-Star 9 times during his 15 seasons of play, and
won five consecutive Gold Glove awards for fielding excellence.
Santo made his debut with the Cubs on June 26, 1960. He played
with the team until 1973, and finished his career with the Chicago
White Sox in 1974. During his 14-season run with the Cubs, Santo
hit 337 home runs which made him the first third baseman to hit over
300 home runs and win five Gold Gloves.
As part of the publicity surrounding "Ron Santo Day" at Wrigley Field
on August 28, 1971, he revealed his struggle with diabetes. As a
result of his diabetes Santo has had both his legs amputated below
the knee; the right in 2001 and the left in 2002 as well as a quadruple
bypass.
In 1990, Santo brought his baseball expertise to the Radio 720 WGN Cubs broadcast booth.
Today, he is still a Cubs broadcaster on WGN radio with play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes.
Ron is currently on the Board of Directors for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He has
also organized the Ron Santo “Walk to Cure Diabetes” which directly benefits JDRF. Santo
has been endorsing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's annual Ron Santo Walk to
Cure Diabetes in Chicago since 1974, and has raised over $50 million for the Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation. In 2002, his 24th annual Ron Santo Walk raised over $4.2
million for diabetes research. That same year, Santo was named the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation's "Person of the Year."
On September 28, 2003, the Cub’s retired Santo's #10 jersey, making him the third player
honored behind his teammates Ernie Banks (#14) and Billy Williams (#26). In 2005 he came
within eight votes of election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Many have argued that his
induction into the Hall of Fame is long overdue.
In 2004, Santo's son, Jeff wrote, co-produced, and directed a film documenting Santo and his
battle against diabetes entitled This Old Cub. Between them, Ron and his wife Vicki have four
children. In his free time, Ron enjoys playing golf and horseback riding.
Today, he is still a Cubs broadcaster on WGN radio with play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes.
Ron is currently on the Board of Directors for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He has
also organized the Ron Santo “Walk to Cure Diabetes” which directly benefits JDRF. Santo
has been endorsing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's annual Ron Santo Walk to
Cure Diabetes in Chicago since 1974, and has raised over $50 million for the Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation. In 2002, his 24th annual Ron Santo Walk raised over $4.2
million for diabetes research. That same year, Santo was named the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation's "Person of the Year."
On September 28, 2003, the Cub’s retired Santo's #10 jersey, making him the third player
honored behind his teammates Ernie Banks (#14) and Billy Williams (#26). In 2005 he came
within eight votes of election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Many have argued that his
induction into the Hall of Fame is long overdue.
In 2004, Santo's son, Jeff wrote, co-produced, and directed a film documenting Santo and his
battle against diabetes entitled This Old Cub. Between them, Ron and his wife Vicki have four
children. In his free time, Ron enjoys playing golf and horseback riding.
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