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The life and legacy of Ron Santo

We find ourselves wondering this morning, what is it that turns a celebrity into an icon? What makes a sports figure an enduring legend rather than simply a star?

Ron Santo was an outstanding ballplayer, one of the best third basemen of his era. But there have been other players with similar, if not stronger, credentials. Off the top of our heads, we think of Billy Williams on the North Side of town and Harold Baines on the South one a Hall of Famer and the other, a near Hall of Famer.

And yet, while each is held in high regard, neither symbolizes a year or a time the way the image of Santo heel-clicking his way down the left-field line came to symbolize both the joys and the heartbreak of 1969.

Santo also was a longtime broadcaster, one who redefined the role of the color commentator in his own image. The commentator's position is designed to provide expert analysis, the inside look at the game. Steve Stone is the epitome of that, a broadcaster who teaches the fan something about the sport. Santo was, well, he was horrible at that kind of thing. Far from adding insight, Santo often ended up turning to Pat Hughes to ask what kind of pitches the incoming middle reliever threw.

“Oh, noooooooooo!!!!”

And yet, while Stone is appreciated, Santo was loved. Loved. He was a guy we all wanted to put our arms around.

Yes, we find ourselves wondering. What is it that turns a celebrity into an icon? What makes a sports figure an enduring legend rather than simply a star?

Everywhere you went Friday, everywhere you looked in the Chicago area, people were telling stories of an encounter with Santo and what he meant to them. It was as though everyone felt the need to pay tribute. Our columnists were no different.

Mike Imrem described Santo calling one of Mike's friends to encourage him about his health problems. “We lost a winner no a champion in life,” Imrem said.

Barry Rozner referred to Santo as a friend. “He was the real thing. He was exactly what he appeared to be. He was genuine.”

Burt Constable recalled the work Santo had done in the campaign against juvenile diabetes and said, “What Santo gave to sick children, long-suffering Cubs fans and people everywhere was the gift of hope.”

And Cubs beat writer Bruce Miles said simply, “Ron Santo was the toughest human being I've met in sports. He also was the most genuine and among the most compassionate people I've been around.”

What is it that turns a celebrity into an icon? What makes a sports figure an enduring legend rather than simply a star?

Being special.