Ron Santo, a Chicago Cubs icon died overnight in his winter Arizona home due to complications from bladder cancer. The 70-year-old former Cubs player and longtime announcer was said to have slipped into a coma on Wednesday before passing on Thursday night.

Santo was a fan favorite and touched many Windy City lives during his time as a player and broadcaster. While playing for the Cubs, Santo was one of the best third basemen of his time and he accomplished that feat while battling diabetes. Playing under those adversities was a testament to the man he was so it is unfortunate he never received the one phone call he most wanted, the call welcoming to the Hall of Fame.

As a broadcaster, he spent many days with Pat Hughes in the radio booth, hanging onto every pitch, hit and error that was played and off the field used his celebrity status to help raise awareness and funds for juvenile diabetes.

Over recent years, Santo traveled up the Wrigley Field ramps via personnel driving motorized carts since diabetes had taken both of his legs. He always took the time to pay attention to swarming fans seeking autographs.

Santo’s son, Jeff, created a documentary in 2004 about his father titled “This Old Cub.”The film shows Santo from the time the 20-year-old came up to the Cubs to being a grandfather. It shows how Ron handled crises and how much he truly loved baseball and his Cubs. The year prior to the film, Ron’s No. 10 jersey was retired at Wrigley Field and to this day waves on the right field foul pole along with Ernie Banks’ famous No. 14.

As Cubs fans mourn the passing of an icon, some will remember when his hairpiece caught on fire at Shea Stadium, others his moans and groans in the radio booth.

Goodbye Ronnie. You were a gentleman and an inspiration to many including myself. May you find peace in that Heavenly Hall of Fame.

Used with permission of the author.

Miriam Romain is a Chicago-based sportswriter and national columnist covering the Chicago Cubs for Examiner.com. The Windy City native is also the Associate Editor for SBNation Chicago and has been published in the Maple Street Press Cubs annuals. In her free time, Romain is working on a book titled “Summers At Wrigley With My Dad.”

Copyright © 2010 Sports Climax, LLC