Cooperstown Chronicles – Ron Santo
Photo courtesy of TSN Archives/Icon SMI
There are many players with better numbers than Santo that didn’t quite make the same impact. It’s hard to measure, but whatever it was, Santo had it. He made nine All-Star teams and took home five Gold Gloves. He had decent power numbers to go along with that slick glove.
Photo courtesy of Icon SMI
The Numbers
.277 Batting Average
1138 Runs
2254 Hits
365 Doubles
67 Triples
342 Home Runs
1231 RBI
2243 Games
8143 At Bats
1108 Walks (68th All-time)
The Awards
1973 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award
9 All-Star Games
5 Gold Gloves
MVP votes in 7 seasons
Top Ten Finishes
Batting Average – Three times
On-base % – Seven times (Led league in ’64 & ’66)
Slugging % – Five times
OPS – Five times
Runs – Three times
Hits - Four times
Doubles - Four Times
Triples - Twice (Led league in ’64)
Home Runs – 7 Times
RBI – 8 Times
Walks – 9 Times (Led league in ’64, ’66, ’67, ’68)
Total Bases – Five times
Games – Eight times
At Bats – Three times
This one isn’t a no-brainer like some of the other guys. You have to look past the overall numbers and see what he did. He played great defense while putting up solid offensive numbers. He had a great eye at the plate. From 1964 to 1970 he was one of the best players in the game. I can understand if you disagree, but I think Santo belongs in the Hall of Fame.
References
Baseball-reference.com
Past Chronicles
Bert Byleven
Andre Dawson
Dale Murphy
Mark McGwire
Bobby Matthews
Tommy John
Buck O’Neill & Minnie Minoso
Jim Rice
Ted Simmons
Lee Smith
Jack Morris
Al Oliver
Steve Garvey
Jim Kaat
Pete Ro$e
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Dave Concepcion
Lou Whitaker
Alan Trammell
Ethan
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 am #
Santo should be in the Hall of Fame
Figgelbert
March 9th, 2008 at 1:22 pm #
I think Santo is a no brainer,and when you factor in all the feilding numbers and factor in position rankings he rises to the top of players worthy not in yet.
He was also a fierce leader and played the game correctly with intensity, passion and heart.
There wernt many 3b better than him with a glove,he was playing in a time when homers were actual ,not skewed and he ranks favorably in all career categories for 3b,and lets not forget the heart warming story
This is one of the truely great men who played the game,he was doing charitable endeavors before players had to
He started his juvenile diabeties foundation in the 60s,and has always been at the forefront of charties ever since
Hes lost both legs to diabeties and dont forget hes a icon in Chicago and a real homer announcer
All things factored in Ron Santo is as deserving as anyone and the old timers commitee needs to step up and do the right thing before Mr.Santo dies and doesnt enjoy his day!
Ryan Lester
March 10th, 2008 at 8:04 am #
Figgelbert – I was convinced before, but you took it to the next level. Great comments. I totally agree with your sentiments.
Rowan Campbell
March 15th, 2008 at 2:03 pm #
I think Ron Santo should be elected to the hall of fame.
He hit more homeruns than George Brett and Brooks Robinson.
He has a better lifetime ba than Mike Schmidt and Brooks Robinson.
He was a excellent hitter and awsome fielder winnning 5 gold gloves.
Ron Santo put up fantastic numbers he hit 277 with 342 Homeruns and drove in 1331 and scored 1138.
He collected 2254 hits in 8143 atbats including 365 2b’s and 673b’s.
He walked 1108 times and struckout 1343 times.
He had a fabulous life time obp of 362.
He got 3771 tb’s for a slugging pct of 464.
He played in 2243 games and was a 9 time allstar.
Ryan Lester
March 16th, 2008 at 7:18 am #
You don’t have to sell me Rowan. I’m with you. Thanks for adding to his case though.
DS
July 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am #
It’s so obvious — why isn’t he in? It makes no sense.
LestersLegends
July 28th, 2008 at 9:24 am #
DC – Totally agree
BraystreetLad
September 19th, 2008 at 7:27 am #
Ron Santo’s exclusion from Cooperstown its one of its most flagrant errors.In addition to his powerful hitting,I believe Santo won seven or eight N.L. Gold Gloves at third.So c’mon,boys,how ’bout selecting Ronnie
in ’10?(I believe it’s already too late for Santo to be considered next year.)
LestersLegends
September 19th, 2008 at 7:31 am #
5 GG’s, but he’s so worthy
2009 MLB Hall of Fame Ballot | 1800blogger
December 8th, 2008 at 9:18 am #
[...] Wee Reese* Allie Reynolds Jim Rice Phil Rizzuto* Brooks Robinson* Pete Ro$e Amos Rusie* Jimmy Ryan Ron Santo Curt Schilling Red Schoendienst* (Player/Manager) Ted Simmons Enos Slaughter* Lee Smith Rusty Staub [...]
2009 MLB Hall of Fame Ballot | Fantasy Sports Blog
December 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am #
[...] Wee Reese* Allie Reynolds Jim Rice Phil Rizzuto* Brooks Robinson* Pete Ro$e Amos Rusie* Jimmy Ryan Ron Santo Curt Schilling Red Schoendienst* (Player/Manager) Ted Simmons Enos Slaughter* Lee Smith Rusty Staub [...]
Veterans Committee elect Joe Gordon to the HOF | Fantasy Sports Blog
December 8th, 2008 at 3:46 pm #
[...] Deacon White, Joe Torre (unless they were just voting on his playing career), Sherry Magee, Ron Santo, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva, and Al Oliver were worthy of election. I am particularly [...]
Cooperstown Chronicles - Jesse Haines | 1800blogger
May 7th, 2009 at 9:05 am #
[...] Wee Reese* Allie Reynolds Jim Rice Phil Rizzuto* Brooks Robinson* Pete Ro$e Amos Rusie* Jimmy Ryan Ron Santo Curt Schilling Red Schoendienst* (Player/Manager) Ted Simmons Enos Slaughter* Lee Smith Rusty Staub [...]
Cooperstown Chronicles - Waite Hoyt | 1800blogger
May 20th, 2009 at 2:16 pm #
[...] Wee Reese* Allie Reynolds Jim Rice Phil Rizzuto* Brooks Robinson* Pete Ro$e Amos Rusie* Jimmy Ryan Ron Santo Curt Schilling Red Schoendienst* (Player/Manager) Ted Simmons Enos Slaughter* Lee Smith Rusty Staub [...]
erik
August 5th, 2009 at 9:01 pm #
maybe he deserves to get in, but he is the worst announcer ever. he is a crybaby whiner like all cubs fans and announcers. kirk gibson and al kaline didnt cry like babies when announcing tigers games. this guy is like a girl when cubs lose just like the over rated harey carey. but anyway he should be in i guess
Anonymous
August 15th, 2009 at 3:16 pm #
He deserves to be in, but only after Richard Allen goes in. Once Dick gets in, let Santo in. Until then, he isn’t the best player looking on the outside, Allen is.