Schuster: Santo Gets In, Minoso Has To Wait
By: David Schuster-
(WSCR) The city of Chicago dominated the opening of baseball's winter meetings. The first thing on MLB's agenda was the announcement of the veteran's committee on who was going into the Hall of Fame. The announcement came early in the morning with former Cub Ron Santo getting in, while former Sox player Minnie Minoso fell short.
Santo, who passed away just over one year ago, received 15 of the 16 votes cast while Minoso received 9 (three short).
This is a bittersweet day for the Santo family, all his friends and Cub fans everywhere. Obviously, happy with the news but equally as sad because Santo did not live long enough to see this happen.
Santo becomes the fourth member of those Cub teams from the late 60's and early 70's to get into the Hall. Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins and Billy Williams preceded Santo and Williams was on the veteran's committee that got him in. Williams couldn't have been more happy for his late and long time friend.
"We were not only teammates but great friends,' Williams said. "I was so proud for Ronnie and his family when the voting came out. I'm sorry that Ronnie is not here to see this wonderful day but I know that he is looking down on us while drinking some red wine."
As for Minoso, the Sox organization went all out in trying to get him in. Jerry Reinsdorf spearheaded the push and when he learned that Minoso fell a few votes short the Sox owner responded, "I'm stunned. I really thought he would get in unanimously. It's hard to criticize but I just don't understand it."
Reinsdorf said he spoke with Minoso who just shrugged it off but said he will keep plugging to get one of the Sox all time greats in. "He has to wait three years but if I'm still around I will do everything I can to help him get in."
