The late Ron Santo was known for many things.

He’s a Chicago legend starting with his days as a nine-
time All-Star with the Cubs. With five gold gloves on his
résumé, he’s widely regarded as one of the best defensive
third basemen to play the game. Every year, his name is
mentioned prominently for induction into the Hall of Fame.

His legend grew after his playing days were over and he
moved into the broadcast booth in 1990, wearing his
passion for the Cubs on his sleeve in every broadcast.

Santo also suffered for years with type 1 diabetes, a
disease that played a role in his death in 2010. Starting
in 1974, Santo endorsed the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation’s annual Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes,
in
Chicago, and was instrumental in raising millions of
dollars for research funding over the years.

Santo also made his mark in the Valley, the Cubs’ spring
training home since 1952. He and his family made the
Valley their offseason home for decades. And because of
this, starting in 2012, the JDRF walks in Tempe and Tucson
will both be known as the “JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes
Celebrating Ron Santo”.

In 2011 alone, some 25,000 people participated in the
Arizona JDRF Walks in Tempe, Glendale and Tucson.

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