Saturday, June 26, 2010

Chicago Cubs: Celebrating 50 years with a Legend

Fifty years ago today Ron Santo made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs were playing the Pirates at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, and Ron batted 6th in the lineup. He had a fantastic debut going 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs. The Cubs won 7-6 despite giving up 4 runs in the ninth, and Ron Santo has been northside hero ever since.
Santo, the inaugural inductee into the Bigfoot Diaries Hall of Fame went on to have a legendary career with the Cubs, and his presence has been a beacon of light in what seems like a never ending losing streak. His game was intense, but his voice in the radio booth has been a source of hope and assurance since he took on that role in 1990. Cubs fans have shared their best and worst moments with this man, who right along beside them wore his emotions on his sleeve. As it was while he was playing, nobody wants a Cubs victory today more than Ron Santo does.

The Cubs are planning a special ceremony for Santo on Monday when the team returns to Wrigley to face ironically, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Santo is set to throw out the first pitch, sing the seventh inning stretch and flags commemorating his 50 years will be flown on the grand stand.

Sounds like a great day at the ball park. Wouldn't it be nice if the Cubs could squeak out a rare victory?

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