Up on the blog today, my pick for the National League's top third baseman of the 1960s, and I went with Chicago Cubs legend Ron Santo:
Ron Santo was no slouch at the hot corner:
nine All-Star games, five Gold Gloves, 342 lifetime homers and 1331 runs
batted in in a somewhat short 15-year career, mainly for the North Side
Chicago Cubs (he played his last year for
the South Side Chicago White Sox) in 1974.
Just take a look at his career, and see the solid numbers year after year, about as consistent a player you could ever ask for.
Between 1963 and 1973 Santo was selected for nine All-Star games,
received five Gold Gloves for his defensive work, and four-time finished
Top-10 in the National League MVP race, with a high of fourth in 1967.
Post-playing career, Santo moved on to broadcasting, where he was a beloved color commentator over the years, working with guys like Harry Caray, Thom Brennaman and Steve Stone.
Post-playing career, Santo moved on to broadcasting, where he was a beloved color commentator over the years, working with guys like Harry Caray, Thom Brennaman and Steve Stone.
He was about as beloved a Cub as there ever was, and finally made
it into the Hall of Fame in 2012 as a Veteran's Committee selection,
even though tragically it was two years after he passed away.