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ron santo, 1963 topps #252, cubs

Player: Santo, Ron

Card: 1963 Topps #252

Position:3B

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playerbio

Born in Seattle, WA, Ron played for the Chicago Cubs from 1960 through 1973 and the White Sox in 1974. Santo was an All-Star for nine seasons during his 15-year career. He led the National League (NL) in triples one time, in walks four times, and in on-base percentage two times. He batted .300 or more and hit 30 or more home runs four times each, and is the only third baseman in MLB history to post eight consecutive seasons with over 90 runs batted in.

Santo led the league in double plays six times (1961, 1964, 1966–68, 1971). He won the NL Player of the Month award three times: June 1963 (.384, 6 HR, 22 RBI); July 1964 (.395, 7 HR, 27 RBI); and June 1969 (.400, 6 HR, 34 RBI). He also was named to the 1960 Topps All-Star Rookie Team, was a 5-time NL Gold Glove Winner (1964-1968), 2-time NL On-Base Percentage Leader (1964 & 1966), NL Triples Leader (1964) and a 4-time NL Bases on Balls Leader (1964 & 1966-1968).

During his 14-season run with the Cubs, Ron hit 337 home runs, then the eighth most by a NL right-handed hitter; his 1,071 career walks with the Cubs remain the team record for a right-handed hitter. He was the first third baseman to hit 300 home runs and win five Gold Gloves.

A fierce competitor, Santo said: “When I was a ballplayer, I was very intense. When I walked across those white lines, nobody was my friend. Once the game was over, off the field, I was a different guy. But on the field, I was very intense. I think that showed... That was the kind of player I was.”

In 1999, he was named to the Cubs All-Century Team and on September 28, 2003, Santo's jersey No. 10 was retired by the Cubs organization, making him the third player so honored behind his teammates.

Santo joined the Cubs' broadcast booth in 1990 as the WGN radio color commentator for the Cubs. As a result, he became very popular with a whole new generation of Cubs fans due to his unflagging loyalty to the team and his display of raw courage in the face of personal adversity related to his illness. Santo reciprocated the sentiment. After many years of struggling with Diabetes, he passed away in 2010. Ron was the subject of documentary "This Old Cub".

(excerpted from SABR, BR Bullpen & Wikipedia)

morecards

1961 Topps #35
1963 Fleer #32
1964 Topps #375
1967 Topps #70
1968 Topps #235
1969 Topps #420
1971 Topps #220
1972 Topps #555
1972 Topps #556
1973 Topps #115
1973 Kellogg’s #54 (Autographed)
1974 Topps #270
1975 Topps #35
1993 Upper Deck All Time Heroes #113
2009 Goudey #206
2009 Italian American Baseball Heroes #86
2020 Turkey Red #TR-30

tourstops


Ron Santo is part of the Hall of Fame Player Tour – Go to the Next Stop


Listen to Larry Baldassaro’s interview with Ron here – or view the Next Stop on the Baseball Italian Style Tour


Ron is also part of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame Tour – Go to the Next Stop


Ron is part of the All-Star Player Tour – Go to the Next Stop


Ron is also part of the Chicago Cubs Players Tour – Go To the Next Stop


Ron is also part of the Chicago White Sox Players Tour – Go To the Next Stop


See all Santo’s baseball cards at TCDB


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