[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S7541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY FOR RON SANTO FOLLOWING A HEART ATTACK

 Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, I rise today to express my hope 
for the speedy recovery of someone who gave so many Illinoisans, 
including me, joy throughout his great career. Ron Santo, former third 
baseman for the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox, suffered a 
heart attack Monday in Denver, and I wanted to take a moment to 
recognize him and express my hopes for a speedy recovery.
  Ron Santo played fourteen seasons for the Chicago Cubs from 1960 to 
1973 and one for the Chicago White Sox in 1974, during which time he 
appeared in nine All-Star Games and won five Gold Glove Awards at the 
``hot corner.'' He was also a member of the 1969 Chicago Cubs team 
which lost its chance at the playoffs because of the famous, or to 
Illinoisans, infamous, run of the ``Miracle'' Mets. When I was a boy, I 
was lucky enough to have Santo autograph a Cubs' game program for me, 
which I still have.
  His career statistics measure up well against those of anyone to ever 
play the game. He finished his illustrious career with 2254 hits, 342 
of which were home runs, 1331 Runs Batted In, and a .277 career batting 
average. In 1964, Santo even led the league in triples with 13. He 
ranks in the top 10 among players for the Chicago Cubs in games played, 
at bats, runs scored, hits, doubles, runs batted in, and extra-base 
hits.
  Now that his playing days are over, Santo continues to make a 
contribution to the Cubs and to Chicago as a broadcaster, and one of 
the best and most energetic in the game at that. Mr. President, I would 
like to call on the Senate to join me in wishing Mr. Santo, his wife 
Vicki, and his four children the very best and expressing the sincere 
hope that he gets well soon.

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