Friday, December 11, 2020

Ron Santo

 


This has been a pretty bad off-season for the Cubs, but 1973 was even more painful for Cub fans. The Cubs traded two Hall of Famers: Fergie Jenkins and Ron Santo. Santo was traded on this day to the Chicago White Sox. Santo was a nine time all-star (including 1973), but was clearly on the downside of his career. In return for Santo the Cubs got pitcher Steve Stone, catcher Steve Swisher, and pitcher Ken Frailing. It actually turned out to be a good deal for the Cubs. Santo only played one year for the White Sox and retired after hitting a woeful .221 for them. Steve Stone, on the other hand pitched three years for the Cubs (including a 12-win season in 1975), as did Ken Frailing, and Steve Swisher became a National League all-star in 1976. Santo was very upset by the trade, but he obviously eventually forgave the Cubs. His #10 flag will fly on the Wrigley Field foul pole forever