Up until July 8, 1969 -- almost exactly fifty years ago -- Ron Santo was more or less unanimously admired across baseball. And why not? He did everything you would want a ballplayer to do. He played almost every single game at third base for the Cubs from 1963-1969. He hit with power. He was good for something like 100 runs, 100 RBIs and 100 walks basically every season. He played a good third base; he won four Gold Gloves. He was consistent enough to get MVP votes each of those seven seasons, and he led the league in WAR in 1967.
Baseball 78: Ron Santo
Baseball 78: Ron Santo
Baseball 78: Ron Santo
Up until July 8, 1969 -- almost exactly fifty years ago -- Ron Santo was more or less unanimously admired across baseball. And why not? He did everything you would want a ballplayer to do. He played almost every single game at third base for the Cubs from 1963-1969. He hit with power. He was good for something like 100 runs, 100 RBIs and 100 walks basically every season. He played a good third base; he won four Gold Gloves. He was consistent enough to get MVP votes each of those seven seasons, and he led the league in WAR in 1967.