hno:
Hmmm....interesting stat. They could use another right-handed bat. But the Cubs do have pretty good flexibility with DeRosa moving around. Once Soriano is back and DeRosa at 2nd, the bench isn't too bad with Fontenot hitting well lately, either Edmonds or Reed Johnson, and Daryl Ward. If bench pinch hitting is the biggest concern then you know you have a good team.
Really? Great career and he was only expected to live to 25. http://www.thebaseballpage.com/players/santoro01.php
Player Pages > Ron Santo
<!--BREADCRUMB TRAIL--> <!--PLAYER NAME--> Ron Santo<!--PLAYER NAME--> <!--PLAYER PHOTO-->
Ron Santo is the greatest third baseman in Chicago Cubs' history. He hit 342 career home runs and won five Gold Gloves. Playing all but one season with the Cubs, Santo never made it to the post-season. He hit 30 homers and batted .300 four times each, despite playing much of his career in an era where scoring was suppressed. He paced the National League in walks four times. He topped NL third basemen in putouts seven times, assists seven times, and double plays four times.
<!--bioINTRO--> <!--QUOTES ABOUT--> <!--QUOTES ABOUT--> <!--QUOTES FROM--> <!--QUOTES FROM--> <!--GET TEAMS PLAYED FOR--> Played For
Chicago Cubs (1960-1973)
Chicago White Sox (1974)
<!--GET TEAMS PLAYED FOR--> <!--GET TEAMS MANAGED--> <!--GET TEAMS MANAGED--> <!--MINORS TEXT--> <!--MINORS TEXT--> <!--GET RANKINGS--> Chicago Cubs (1960-1973)
Chicago White Sox (1974)
<!--GET RANKINGS--> <!--TEAMMATE TEAM--> <!--TEAMMATE TEAM--> <!--BEST SEASON-->
Best Season: 1964
The wrong third baseman won the MVP Award. Cardinal Ken Boyer took home the hardware as his team won the pennant, but Santo outplayed him in '64. Santo batted .312, hit 33 doubles, 13 triples (which led the NL), 30 homers, drove in 114, walked 86 times and won the Gold Glove. Not sure how any other third baseman was deemed more valuable.
<!--BEST SEASON--> <!--FACTOIDS--> <!--FACTOIDS--> <!--bioFULL--> <!--bioFULL--> <!--CONTENT 01--> The wrong third baseman won the MVP Award. Cardinal Ken Boyer took home the hardware as his team won the pennant, but Santo outplayed him in '64. Santo batted .312, hit 33 doubles, 13 triples (which led the NL), 30 homers, drove in 114, walked 86 times and won the Gold Glove. Not sure how any other third baseman was deemed more valuable.
Stable Cubs
The Cubs of the 1960s and early 1970s are one of the most talented teams who never made the post-season. Ron Santo became the third baseman in 1960, and for the remainder of the decade, the Cubs had a very stable lineup of players. Ernie Banks played two years at short next to Santo and eight years at first; Don Kessinger moved into the shortstop spot in 1965 and stayed for 11 seasons; that same year, Glenn Beckert won the second base job, which he filled through 1973; for four seasons Dick Bertell was the Cubs' starting catcher, and starting in '66 Randy Hundley enjoyed an eight-year run behind the plate, through 1973; Billy Williams was starting in the outfield every year from 1961 to 1973.
Banks (1B), Beckert (2B), Kessinger (SS), Santo (3B), Hundley (C) and Williams (LF or RF) were 75% of the team's lineup from 1966-1969. Five of those players were in the starting lineup in four other seasons (1965, 1970, 1972, 1973). In 1966 the six players played in 910 of 972 possible games at their positions. In 1967 it was 916 of 966, in 1968 it was 949 of 972, and in '69 it was 917 of 972. Thus, for four seasons, the six played in 95% of the Cubs' games.
The manager of those Cubs teams was Leo Durocher, who had favored a set lineup when he led the Dodgers and Giants in the 1940s and 1950s. Durocher had the advantage of having very durable players in Chicago. Banks played at least 150 games 12 times in his career. Santo had a 390-consecutive games played streak at one time and appeared in at least 160 games seven times. Kessinger played at least 150 games eight times, and missed just 43 games from 1968 to 1975. Williams set the NL record for most consecutive games played (1,117).
<!--CONTENT 01--> <!--CONTENT 02--> <!--CONTENT 02--> <!--CONTENT 03--> <!--CONTENT 03--> <!--CONTENT 04--> <!--CONTENT 04--> <!--CONTENT 05--> <!--CONTENT 05--> <!--DESCRIPTION--> The Cubs of the 1960s and early 1970s are one of the most talented teams who never made the post-season. Ron Santo became the third baseman in 1960, and for the remainder of the decade, the Cubs had a very stable lineup of players. Ernie Banks played two years at short next to Santo and eight years at first; Don Kessinger moved into the shortstop spot in 1965 and stayed for 11 seasons; that same year, Glenn Beckert won the second base job, which he filled through 1973; for four seasons Dick Bertell was the Cubs' starting catcher, and starting in '66 Randy Hundley enjoyed an eight-year run behind the plate, through 1973; Billy Williams was starting in the outfield every year from 1961 to 1973.
Banks (1B), Beckert (2B), Kessinger (SS), Santo (3B), Hundley (C) and Williams (LF or RF) were 75% of the team's lineup from 1966-1969. Five of those players were in the starting lineup in four other seasons (1965, 1970, 1972, 1973). In 1966 the six players played in 910 of 972 possible games at their positions. In 1967 it was 916 of 966, in 1968 it was 949 of 972, and in '69 it was 917 of 972. Thus, for four seasons, the six played in 95% of the Cubs' games.
The manager of those Cubs teams was Leo Durocher, who had favored a set lineup when he led the Dodgers and Giants in the 1940s and 1950s. Durocher had the advantage of having very durable players in Chicago. Banks played at least 150 games 12 times in his career. Santo had a 390-consecutive games played streak at one time and appeared in at least 160 games seven times. Kessinger played at least 150 games eight times, and missed just 43 games from 1968 to 1975. Williams set the NL record for most consecutive games played (1,117).
Description
Santo was a volatile competitor, and more than once in his career he had run-ins with teammates, opponents, media and managers. Yet, in 1969 he started a post-game ritual that was deemed "hokey" by many. He would click his heels together after each Cubs' win. The Cubs made a run for the division title, but fell short and Santo stopped clicking his heels. Santo was wildly popular in Chicago, and still remains so, having become a broadcaster after his playing career. But there were times in his career when he was booed at Wrigley Field. One was in the heat of the division race in 1969, after he tore into Cubs' outfielder Don Young for making two costly misplays. Even though he apologized the next day, Cubs' fans booed Santo during his next home game.
<!--DESCRIPTION--> <!--SCOUTING REPORT--> <!--SCOUTING REPORT--> <!--POSITION TEXT--> <!--POSITION TEXT--> <!--MGR TEXT--> <!--MGR TEXT--> <!--FULL NAME, BIRTH DATE, LOCATION--> Santo was a volatile competitor, and more than once in his career he had run-ins with teammates, opponents, media and managers. Yet, in 1969 he started a post-game ritual that was deemed "hokey" by many. He would click his heels together after each Cubs' win. The Cubs made a run for the division title, but fell short and Santo stopped clicking his heels. Santo was wildly popular in Chicago, and still remains so, having become a broadcaster after his playing career. But there were times in his career when he was booed at Wrigley Field. One was in the heat of the division race in 1969, after he tore into Cubs' outfielder Don Young for making two costly misplays. Even though he apologized the next day, Cubs' fans booed Santo during his next home game.
Born
Ronald Edward Santo was born on February 25, 1940, in Seattle, WA.
<!--BIRTH DATE, LOCATION--> <!--DEATH DATE, LOCATION--> <!--DEATH DATE, LOCATION--> <!--BATTED and THREW--> Ronald Edward Santo was born on February 25, 1940, in Seattle, WA.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
<!--BATTED and THREW--> <!--GET PRIMARY POSITION--> Threw: Right
Primary Position: 3B
<!--GET PRIMARY POSITION--> <!--GET PRIMARY TEAM--> Primary Team: CHN
<!--GET PRIMARY TEAM--> <!--COLLEGE--> <!--COLLEGE--> <!--MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT, DEBUT TEXT--> Major League Debut
June 26, 1960<!--MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT, DEBUT TEXT--> <!--OTHERS WHO DEBUTED WHEN HE DID-->
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1960
Willie Davis
Ron Santo
Joe Torre
Leo Cardenas
Deron Johnson
Dick McAuliffe
Matty Alou
Phil Regan
Ray Sadecki
<!--OTHERS WHO DEBUTED WHEN HE DID--> <!--DISPLAY PRIMARY TEAM CAP--> <!--
June 26, 1960<!--MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT, DEBUT TEXT--> <!--OTHERS WHO DEBUTED WHEN HE DID-->
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1960
Willie Davis
Ron Santo
Joe Torre
Leo Cardenas
Deron Johnson
Dick McAuliffe
Matty Alou
Phil Regan
Ray Sadecki
Similar Players
None truly similar, Ken Boyer and Gary Gaetti are the closest. Santo was clearly better than Gaetti but it's not so clear that he was a better player than Boyer.
<!--SIMILAR--> <!--PLAYERS LINKED--> None truly similar, Ken Boyer and Gary Gaetti are the closest. Santo was clearly better than Gaetti but it's not so clear that he was a better player than Boyer.
Related Players
Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Glenn Beckert, Don Kessinger, Randy Hundley
<!--PLAYERS LINKED--> <!--HOF VOTING TABLE--> Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Glenn Beckert, Don Kessinger, Randy Hundley
<table width="290" bgcolor="#000000" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td> <table bordercolordark="#000000" width="289" align="left" bgcolor="#7e878e" border="0" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"><!--WAS 669933--> <tbody><tr> <td class="hofVotingTable" colspan="8" width="100%" bgcolor="#15151c">[FONT=biondi, arial]Hall of Fame Voting[/FONT]</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">Year</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">Election</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">Votes</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">Pct</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1980</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">15</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">3.9%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1985</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">53</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">13.4%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1986</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">64</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">15.1%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1987</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">78</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">18.9%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1988</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">108</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">25.3%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1989</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">75</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">16.8%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1990</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">96</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">21.6%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1991</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">116</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">26.2%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1992</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">136</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">31.6%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1993</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">155</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">36.6%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1994</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">150</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">33.0%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1995</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">139</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">30.2%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1996</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">174</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">37.0%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1997</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">186</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">39.3%</td></tr> <tr><td class="hofVotingTable" width="15%">1998</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="40%">BBWAA</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="20%" align="right">204</td> <td class="hofVotingTable" width="25%" align="right">43.1%</td></tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<!--HOF VOTING TABLE--> <!--GET NO-HITTERS--> <!--GET NO-HITTERS--> <!--GET POST-SEASON APPEARANCES--> <!--GET POST-SEASON APPEARANCES--> <!--HIS PITCHES--> <!--HIS PITCHES--> <!--POST-SEASON TEXT--> <!--POST-SEASON TEXT--> <!--GET AWARDS--> Awards and Honors
1964 NL Gold Glove
1965 NL Gold Glove
1966 NL Gold Glove
1967 NL Gold Glove
1968 NL Gold Glove
<!--GET AWARDS--> <!--FEATS--> 1964 NL Gold Glove
1965 NL Gold Glove
1966 NL Gold Glove
1967 NL Gold Glove
1968 NL Gold Glove
Feats
In 1967, Santo set a major league record with 393 assists at third base... On May 31, 1966, Santo set an NL record by playing in his 364th straight game at third base. The streak eventually reached 390.
<!--FEATS--> <!--MILESTONES--> In 1967, Santo set a major league record with 393 assists at third base... On May 31, 1966, Santo set an NL record by playing in his 364th straight game at third base. The streak eventually reached 390.
Milestones
Collected his 2,000th career hit on August 26, 1972, at Wrigley Field off the Giants' Ron Bryant. The base hit also drove in the 1,200th run of his career.
<!--MILESTONES--> <!--GET MILESTONES--> <!--GET MILESTONES--> <!--GET BATTING FEATS--> <!--GET BATTING FEATS--> <!--GET PITCHING FEATS--> <!--GET PITCHING FEATS--> <!--NOTES--> Collected his 2,000th career hit on August 26, 1972, at Wrigley Field off the Giants' Ron Bryant. The base hit also drove in the 1,200th run of his career.
Notes
When teammate Ken Holtzman hurled a no-hitter on August 19, 1969, Santo blasted the game-winning three-run homer off Phil Niekro... On July 6, 1970, Santo had a monster day. In a doubleheader, he won game one with a two-run blast, while in the nitecap he drove in eight runs on two more taters... On September 3, 1963, Santo tied an NL record with three errors in one inning against the Giants in a 16-3 loss.
<!--NOTES--> <!--INJURIES--> <!--INJURIES--> <!--GET HITTING STREAKS--> When teammate Ken Holtzman hurled a no-hitter on August 19, 1969, Santo blasted the game-winning three-run homer off Phil Niekro... On July 6, 1970, Santo had a monster day. In a doubleheader, he won game one with a two-run blast, while in the nitecap he drove in eight runs on two more taters... On September 3, 1963, Santo tied an NL record with three errors in one inning against the Giants in a 16-3 loss.
Hitting Streaks
28 games (1966)
<!--GET HITTING STREAKS--> <!--TRANSACTIONS-->
Transactions
Santo was the first player to invoke his privilege under the "Ten and Five" rule, which states that a team cannot trade a player who has been in the league at least 10 years and been with that club for at least five, without his permission. In December, 1973, the Cubs wanted to trade Santo to the Angels for two young pitchers, but Santo refused. Less than a week later, the Cubs dealt Santo to the White Sox for Steve Stone and a few others. Santo agrees to the deal.
<!--TRANSACTIONS--> <!--HOME RUN DATA--> <!--HOME RUN DATA--> <!--HOF ARTIFACTS--> <!--HOF ARTIFACTS--> <!--MATCHUPS--> <!--MATCHUPS--> <!--TRIVIA--> <!--TRIVIA--> <!--GET ALL-STAR APPEARANCES--> All-Star Selections 28 games (1966)
<!--GET HITTING STREAKS--> <!--TRANSACTIONS-->
Transactions
Santo was the first player to invoke his privilege under the "Ten and Five" rule, which states that a team cannot trade a player who has been in the league at least 10 years and been with that club for at least five, without his permission. In December, 1973, the Cubs wanted to trade Santo to the Angels for two young pitchers, but Santo refused. Less than a week later, the Cubs dealt Santo to the White Sox for Steve Stone and a few others. Santo agrees to the deal.
1963 NL
1964 NL
1965 NL
1966 NL
1968 NL
1969 NL
1971 NL
1972 NL
1973 NL
It's hard to count his gold gloves because in today's day and age he'd be considered a terrible defensive third baseman. In three of the five years he won gold gloves he made more than 24 errors in the season and his Fielding Percentage was below .956. Look at past Gold Glove winners at third and he was one of the weakest, if not the weakest, of all time.
He was a good hitter but I don't think you could ever put him in the great category.
He only had 4 seasons of over 100 RBI's and 4 seasons over 30 HR's. Also only hit over .300 4 times. He had a career average of .277. He is a very good third baseman and he was more than above average. He was an All-Star third baseman but he was not a hall of fame third baseman. He was the third best third baseman of his era and that doesn't help. Eddie Mathews and Brooks Robinson were both better. Brook's offensive numbers weren't as good but he was the greatest defensive third baseman of all time. It also doesn't help that Schmidt and Brett came into the league right around the time Santo was hanging up the spikes. In that time period alone he was the 5th best third baseman and that's just not good enough to be in the Hall of Fame.
It wasn't that he wasn't a star, but he wasn't an All-Time great. He's a Harold Baines type player. It also doesn't help that he never won anything. I really don't think it's much of an argument. I don't think he belongs. I don't think he should get sympathy either because of his condition.
There are many more people that deserve to be in the Hall ahead of Santo. He's not even in the top 10 of guys that aren't in that you can make an argument for.
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