rockin500
02-18-2003, 04:05 PM
MESA, Ariz. -- The only thing bothering Ron Santo on Sunday was his voice, which was a little raspy. That's tough for a broadcaster on game day but nothing to worry about after you've endured two leg amputations.
Santo drove himself to the Chicago Cubs Spring Training camp Sunday and needed only a cane for support as he said hello. He is recuperating at a record pace following his second amputation on Dec. 20, in which his left leg was removed below the knee.
On Dec. 15, 2001, his right leg was amputated, also below the knee, and both were because of complications from diabetes.
"I was a little concerned," Santo said about his voice. "I'm walking, I'm driving my car, I'm doing everything and all of a sudden I can't broadcast. But I'll be fine. I feel great."
He looks good, too.
"I didn't realize I could drive this early," Santo said. "I didn't realize I'd be walking just with a cane. My goal was this but I had to find out."
As of now, Santo plans on being in the WGN radio booth for all of the Cubs games. He'll warm up Feb. 27 with the Spring Training opener against San Francisco at Scottsdale Stadium.
"I feel I could do the whole schedule," he said.
Santo developed an infection in his left leg last fall and doctors told him there was a 65 percent chance it would heal. Because he adapted so well to his prosthesis on his right leg, he told doctors to take his left one. And his life goes on.
He said it will take him at least two years to read and respond to all of the cards and letters he's received from well wishers.
"Every one of the cards and letters was more personal," Santo said. "It just gave me a lift every day. It's kind of nice to know how I'm appreciated and not because I was a good ballplayer but because of the way I am."
He'll find out about his status with the Hall of Fame on Feb. 26 when the Veterans Committee announces the vote results.
"My son Jeff was asking me about that. He said, 'Are you prepared in case you don't get in?' and I said, 'No,'" Santo said. "Everything is looking positive and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It would be the best birthday present I've ever had."
Santo turns 63 on Feb. 25. It'll be quite the birthday party if he makes it to Cooperstown. Right now, he's working on his balance.
"I'm putting 100 percent (of his weight) on my left leg, which is unheard of," he said. "There are no sores. My balance is still not where I want it to be but it's pretty good.
"I don't have to make a ballclub," he said of his comeback. "I just wanted to make sure I could walk again. Five months down here, I've ridden my horse twice, which is wonderful. Golf is not a big priority. Being with my grandson (Sam), doing things with him, the rest of my life is a big priority."
Being around the ballclub is part of his therapy. He's anxious to see the Cubs under new manager Dusty Baker.
"They improved the bullpen, they improved the bench," Santo said of the team. "We've got a starting staff that if it stays healthy -- and that's a big if -- but if it stays healthy it'll be good and I think we've got one of the best managers in the game of baseball. Just look at his record. I know one thing about Dusty, you'll see good baseball, good fundamental baseball."
The one area Santo was a little concerned about was projected third base starter Mark Bellhorn. Santo is very protective of third base, especially after playing there from 1960-73.
"I know Bellhorn enjoys playing second, short, first and outfield more than he does third base," Santo said. "But I'm going to sit down with him because I think he's got a chance to be our third baseman. "What he's got to do is enjoy playing there," said Santo, who cherished every day on the field. "If you don't enjoy playing there, you won't be a good third baseman. I like his chances."
It won't hurt having Santo on his side.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/chc/news/chc_news.jsp?ymd=20030216&content_id=200830&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp
Santo drove himself to the Chicago Cubs Spring Training camp Sunday and needed only a cane for support as he said hello. He is recuperating at a record pace following his second amputation on Dec. 20, in which his left leg was removed below the knee.
On Dec. 15, 2001, his right leg was amputated, also below the knee, and both were because of complications from diabetes.
"I was a little concerned," Santo said about his voice. "I'm walking, I'm driving my car, I'm doing everything and all of a sudden I can't broadcast. But I'll be fine. I feel great."
He looks good, too.
"I didn't realize I could drive this early," Santo said. "I didn't realize I'd be walking just with a cane. My goal was this but I had to find out."
As of now, Santo plans on being in the WGN radio booth for all of the Cubs games. He'll warm up Feb. 27 with the Spring Training opener against San Francisco at Scottsdale Stadium.
"I feel I could do the whole schedule," he said.
Santo developed an infection in his left leg last fall and doctors told him there was a 65 percent chance it would heal. Because he adapted so well to his prosthesis on his right leg, he told doctors to take his left one. And his life goes on.
He said it will take him at least two years to read and respond to all of the cards and letters he's received from well wishers.
"Every one of the cards and letters was more personal," Santo said. "It just gave me a lift every day. It's kind of nice to know how I'm appreciated and not because I was a good ballplayer but because of the way I am."
He'll find out about his status with the Hall of Fame on Feb. 26 when the Veterans Committee announces the vote results.
"My son Jeff was asking me about that. He said, 'Are you prepared in case you don't get in?' and I said, 'No,'" Santo said. "Everything is looking positive and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It would be the best birthday present I've ever had."
Santo turns 63 on Feb. 25. It'll be quite the birthday party if he makes it to Cooperstown. Right now, he's working on his balance.
"I'm putting 100 percent (of his weight) on my left leg, which is unheard of," he said. "There are no sores. My balance is still not where I want it to be but it's pretty good.
"I don't have to make a ballclub," he said of his comeback. "I just wanted to make sure I could walk again. Five months down here, I've ridden my horse twice, which is wonderful. Golf is not a big priority. Being with my grandson (Sam), doing things with him, the rest of my life is a big priority."
Being around the ballclub is part of his therapy. He's anxious to see the Cubs under new manager Dusty Baker.
"They improved the bullpen, they improved the bench," Santo said of the team. "We've got a starting staff that if it stays healthy -- and that's a big if -- but if it stays healthy it'll be good and I think we've got one of the best managers in the game of baseball. Just look at his record. I know one thing about Dusty, you'll see good baseball, good fundamental baseball."
The one area Santo was a little concerned about was projected third base starter Mark Bellhorn. Santo is very protective of third base, especially after playing there from 1960-73.
"I know Bellhorn enjoys playing second, short, first and outfield more than he does third base," Santo said. "But I'm going to sit down with him because I think he's got a chance to be our third baseman. "What he's got to do is enjoy playing there," said Santo, who cherished every day on the field. "If you don't enjoy playing there, you won't be a good third baseman. I like his chances."
It won't hurt having Santo on his side.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/chc/news/chc_news.jsp?ymd=20030216&content_id=200830&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp