Ron Santo: For Love of Ivy [Paperback]

Ron Santo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2004

Ron Santo has a remarkable story to tell, from the trauma of a serious illness to his fame as one of the greatest third basemen in the history of baseball.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Santo, an outstanding third baseman, played for 15 years with the Chicago Cubs and one season with the White Sox. When he signed his first baseball contract, he learned that he had diabetes, he recalls, but the disease caused no problems with his athletic career. Writing with Chicago radio sports talk-show host Minkoff, he discusses, with great fondness, his celebrated teammates Ernie Banks and Billy Williams and, with modesty, his new broadcasting job. However, Santo's contention that the 1969 Cubs, who lost the pennant to the Mets in the last few weeks of the season, were the best Cubs team of the modern era is arguable. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Each spring season presents readers and librarians with large numbers of baseball books, some good, many not so good. Unfortunately, this biography of a former Chicago Cubs player falls in the latter category. It is not that the writing is poor, but rather that Santo's story is typical: the rise of a young baseball star; the reasonably successful major league career (Santo was a minor star); and retirement in business and broadcasting. The only hook to the story is the fact that Santo is a diabetic. However, he discusses how he hid his illness more than how he overcame it, so the inspirational aspect is lost. Putting Santo's career in perspective is difficult. The fact remains that he was the second or third most important player on a team that never won a championship--hardly the stuff legends are made of. This is a pedestrian biography that will appeal only to the most dedicated Chicago Cubs fans.
- William O. Scheeren, Hempfield Area H.S. Lib., Greensburg, Pa.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (February 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566250056
• ISBN-13: 978-1566250054
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,269,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational autobiography of baseball player/broadcaster, June 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ron Santo: For Love of Ivy (Paperback)

Excellent autobiography for baseball fans in general and Chicago Cubs fans in particular. Ron Santo was signed by the Cubs in 1958 at the age of 18. Prior to reporting to the Cubs, he learned he had diabetes.

This book tells of playing with baseball greats such as Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ferguson Jenkins, and Leo Durocher. And the 1969 Chicago Cubs.

The book is also inspirational in Santo's perseverance against diabetes and the potential devastating effects of the disease at that time. Santo tested himself and put himself to the limits to control his diabetes.

The book is a very good read and should appeal to any baseball fan. Also, good read for younger players, high school and up, as Santo played the game to its fullest with class, and continues to approach other aspects of life the same.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Santo's Book Hits a Home Run, June 29, 2010

By 

Cathi Deal (Spring, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ron Santo: For the Love of Ivy (Hardcover)

This is a must for all die-hard Cubs fans. Ron Santo embodies the spirit of this never-say-die ball club the way few other men could, and even if you're not a ball fan, provides a good "read." As far as the book seller went, my opinion is the same - the book was exactly as described and was shipped promptly and in good shape. Guess you can say it was a home run for me!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiration to us lesser mortals, September 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Ron Santo: For the Love of Ivy (Hardcover)

Ron Santo has better numbers than most of the third basemen in the Hall of Fame. Anything but a minor star, this quiet, self-effacing hero had the misfortune never to play for a champion (he's most closely identified with the 1969 Cubs, often called "the greatest team never to win a pennant). As a result, he's never gotten the recognition he deserves- including election to the Hall, despite outclassing several of the third basemen there.

Santo accomplished his feats despite an ongoing battle with diabetes which eventually cost him both legs. He's most appreciated, to be sure, in Chicago, where the Cubs at long last retired his number this year. His story is an inspiration to all of us who labor under the burden of far lesser disadvantages and accomplish far less. This is the autobiography of a true hero. To read it is to be inspired.