Riggleman shocked at Santo's death

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Former Cubs manager Jim Riggleman paused a moment Sunday at the winter meetings to remember former Cubs legend Ron Santo, who died Thursday.

Now the manager of the Washington Nationals, Riggleman managed the Cubs from 1995-99 and dealt every day with Santo, who was the Cubs' radio analyst.

“I went on the Internet that day and looked and was just amazed; I was shocked,” Riggleman said. “I saw him this summer when we played them. He seemed in great spirits. The thing you remember was he was such a fan. He loved the Cubs.”

Riggleman was the Cubs' manager when they won the National League wild card in 1998. In the final week of that season, outfielder Brant Brown dropped a flyball to cost the Cubs a game in Milwaukee, and Santo's cry of “Oh, no” has become legendary.

Riggleman remembered another part of that story.

“The Brant Brown thing, that was beautiful,” Riggleman began. “That play, I tell you. He (Santo) was the first one to console Brant Brown. On the plane, it was, ‘All right, kid.' He really understood the magnitude of that play.

“I think Ronnie was like all of us: for Brant. We got in the playoffs that year. We didn't want that hanging over Brant, that it could hurt us from getting into the playoffs.

“I was really shocked that it (Santo's death) happened. I loved my time with him. I feel fortunate that I got to know him. He was a legend. He treated me just like a friend, no talking down to you or anything like that because you didn't play in the big leagues. He treated you with great respect. I really thought a lot of him.”