Customer Reviews

This Old Cub

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This film chronicles Ron Santo's battle with diabetes (which has taken both of his legs), and also his quest to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Both storylines use celebrities and baseball players to tell the story of Santo and his impressive career as player and Cubs broadcaster.

But what the film is really about is Santo's undying positive attitude about his health and the Cubs. It's an inspirational story to anyone, and particularly those who have dealt with major health problems.

For die-hard Cubs fans like myself, it's a must-see. For anyone who enjoys documentary films or inspirational stories, This Old Cub is a great pick.

I bought mutliple copies of this film last Fall at WRIGLEY and direct from the SANTO site! Jeff Santo (Ron's son)did a wonderful job with this documentary on his Dad! I had the pleasure of meeting RON a few times in recent years and he deserves a film like this and should be in the Hall of Fame. THIS OLD CUB is NOT just for CHICAGO CUBS fans...it's a film for everyone BUT if you like Baseball or know people suffering from Diabetes or suffer from it yourself, you will like the film that much more. GREAT extras on the DVD too!

Ron Santo should have a special place in every Cub fan's heart. Beyond that, this documentary should remind all bseball fans what the game is really about. Very few players these days exhibit the love of the game more than Ronny. In a day when money rules where players want to play, Santo shows how one man can truly love the city he plays for. This film proves beyond a doubt why Santo belongs in the Hall of Fame. It proves why Santo is the greatest Cub fan in history. It proves that no one bleeds Cubbie blue like Ronny.

Outside of the baseball context, this movie shows the power of the human spirit and a man's will to not only survive, but to inspire others to do the same. The footage of Ron coping with what diabetes has done to him will move even the most stoic person to tears. It is hard not to well up throughout this movie.

An essential for Cub fans, an essential for baseball fans, and a heart-warming story for those who just want to see the power of human will.

People may look at this and think that it's just for Cubs fans (Which I can proudly say I am one). It is not the case. Whether you are a Cubs fan, suffer from Diabetes, are looking for a hero or want to see a film about a man who has overcome so many obstacles and never asked "Why me?"...this is your film. It is simply beautiful. Jeff Santo did an excellent job with the film. You will laugh. You will cry. You will stand up and applaud.

An well-done tribute from son to father. I'm not a Cubs fan, but a baseball fan, and this was a great ride. Recommended for any fan of the game. Always admired Ron Santo and now I do even more.

The outpouring for Ron Santo following his death was a tremendous tribute to the man and to Chicago. Many know him only as a former player and broadcaster; I had the good fortune to watch him play. The diabetes story is important and compelling, and an exclamation point to his Hall of Fame case. But truth be told, diabetes or not, Santo and Brooks Robinson were the dominant third basemen of their era. A superb fielder and team captain by the time he was maybe 24, here's the guy who batted cleanup for a team with Billy Williams and Ernie Banks on either side of him. This film shows the man who bleeds Cubbie Blue, the one with great heart, willpower, and eternal optimism -- qualities on full display as a broadcaster. Santo the player had something else, though: tremendous skills and talent right from the start. Turn off the sound and you can see a major league presence throughout the game and throughout a career. Strong, agile and smart, Santo had a great glove, terrific hands and a cannon to nail the runner at first from the edge of the infield. Not the speediest baserunner, he did have great range from in front of the bag to the hole between short and third (Don Kessinger, too), the leader of an All-Star infield with the double (and even triple) plays to show for it. Nobody surpassed his grit and determination -- I was at the game in the middle of a 20-something hitting streak when he was badly beaned and had his cheekbone fractured (the ear flaps you see on batting helmets now are a result of that incident). The question on people's mind was how long he'd be in the hospital, not how he'd continue his hitting streak. But damned if he didn't return within a day or two and pick up right where he was. Incredible talent, dedication and seriousness of purpose are what today's fans won't know from his time in the booth, and what this film doesn't fully show. But it does show the man. What a man.

My all-time favorite Cub while growing up. He should be in the hall of fame, but a championship ring evaded him throughout his career. I think this is the reason the veterans committee has stiffed him all these years.
This DVD is his heartfelt story that was put together by his son. It is a touching one, as the man deals with the pitfalls that go with diabetes to this day, but continues to be an outstanding spokesman/inspiration for this horrible condition. I bought this as a present for my dad (I had already seen it in a theater when it was first released) who also deals with a milder form of type 2 diabetes, but we don't want him to get any worse. We hope this story inspires him to keep his diet in check.

God bless Ron Santo and his son Jeff for bringing his story to light!

Thanks, Rockin Ron

I purchased this DVD for my husband, a true blue Cub fan. Ronnie's son did a fabulous job on telling his father's baseball and post baseball life story. His story is so inspirational. It is amazing to see all that he was able to conquer and all that he has been able to accomplish given all the odds against him due to his diabetes.

I just watched this movie this evening in a theatre with an audience numbering in the thousands. A small handful of those in attendance were Cubs fans, but Ron Santo charmed the crowd in both this movie and in a question-and-answer session after the movie. Cubs fans have long been familiar with Santo's struggles with diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. He's a survivor, and this DVD will make you a believer despite what team you root for. While it's mainly being marketed to Cubs' fans, it will inspire anyone going through difficult struggles from diabetes to cancer to rehabilitation. If you find Lance Armstrong's story inspiring, you'll enjoy this disc. Highly recommended.

What a shame that the HOF could not see fit to induct this man and give him what he earned while he was still alive. Old Satchel (A_ _) Butt to some was a good guy and a tremendous ball player. I can recall like it was yesterday, playing catch in Marty Novelli's backyard in River Grove with Ron Santo and Jim Brewer back in 1963. I still have my autographed picture of Ron Santo to Jim. You watch this documentary and you truly understand who this man was and what made him tick. It's a shame he is not in the Hall. I hope to be there to witness the day he is finally inducted.