Ron Santo To Get Statue At Wrigley Field
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Cubs will honor former third baseman and broadcaster Ron Santo with a statue outside Wrigley Field next summer.
The Cubs said Saturday that they will unveil the statue on Aug. 10 before their game against the Washington Nationals.
Cubs players also will wear a special patch next season in honor of Santo.
Santo died of complications from bladder cancer at the age of 70 on Dec. 3. A nine-time All-Star in his 15-year career, Santo hit .277 with 342 homers and 1,331 RBIs. He also won the Gold Glove award five times.
"We join our great fans in dedicating the 2011 campaign to a man who dedicated so much of himself to us," owner Tom Ricketts said in a release.
He becomes the fourth person with a statue of his likeness outside Wrigley, joining Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Harry Caray. The location is still to be determined.
A nine-time All-Star in his 15-year career, Santo hit .277 with 342 homers and 1,331 RBIs. He also won the Gold Glove award five times.
Santo's long battle with diabetes cost him both legs below the knees, but he ultimately died of complications from bladder cancer on Dec. 3 at age 70.
"Ron Santo will always be remembered as an extraordinary player, as the ultimate Cub fan and for his tireless commitment towards juvenile diabetes research," Ricketts said. "On behalf of the Cubs organization, we are proud to honor Ron Santo with a statue of his likeness at Wrigley Field so that future generations can remember his remarkable legacy on-and-off the field."
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