There’s plenty of fight left in This
Old Cub… that’s the story of a new documentary feature about former
All-Star third baseman, broadcaster and Chicago Cubs legend Ron Santo and
his lifelong battle with diabetes. Santo was the first and only major
league position player to play professional baseball with Type One
Juvenile Diabetes (insulin dependent). He played most of his career
without revealing his disease for fear that he would be forced to retire
from baseball. At a time when much less was known about how to regulate
insulin levels, Santo rarely missed a game—taking injections and chocolate
bars based on how he felt from moment to moment.
The film was shot over a span of nine months, as Santo
was recovering from having his second leg amputated due to complications
from the disease he has been fighting for more than forty-five years. It
documents Santo’s rehab and recovery from a devastating operation to his
return to WGN Radio as broadcaster for the Cubs.
This film also goes back in time to tell the story of
Santo’s fabled career as a nine-time All-Star third baseman and five time
Gold Glove winner, and the incredible story of the 1969 season, when the
"miracle Mets" came from nowhere to swipe the pennant from a Cubs team
that is commonly thought of as one of the great teams of all time. Santos
teammates from that time, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ferguson Jenkins
are all in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but despite being considered one of
the greatest third baseman in history, Santo is not. The film documents
Santo’s continuing quest to be similarly acknowledged.
Famous Chicagoans who participated in the film include
Joe Mantegna (who narrates the film) Bill Murray, Brian Doyle Murray, Joel
Murray, Dennis Farina, Gary Sinise, Dennis Franz and William Petersen.
Such baseball luminaries as Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Brooks Robinson,
Joe Morgan, Willie McCovey, Johnny Bench, Tommy La Sorda and Willie Mays
give their views of the man himself. Also appearing are renowned baseball
analysts including ESPN’s Chris Berman and Peter Gammons, Milwaukee’s Bob
Uecker, and Santo’s colleagues and friends at WGN, Steve Stone, Chip Carey
and Pat Hughes.
Most importantly, This Old Cub captures the spirit of
Ron Santo, a player who clicked his heals after every win, perfectly
reflecting a time when players like Santo played for the love of the
game—not for financial reward. Despite being denied entry to the Hall of
Fame, and losing two legs to diabetes, this is a man who handles
everything with grace, humor and not an ounce of bitterness. Santo is the
ultimate optimist and therefore the ultimate Cub. He epitomizes what a Cub
is all about… a diehard fan… wait until next year.
The film ends on the last day of the baseball season in
2003. The day before, the Cubs had clinched their division for the first
time since 1989. But on this day, at an emotional ceremony at Wrigley
Field, Santo joined his teammates Ernie Banks and Billy Williams as the
only Cubs in history to have their numbers retired.
The project got off the ground thanks in large part to
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which provided a
generous grant toward the production. Santo has been one of the most
successful fundraisers for the organization throughout his life, and a
portion of all revenues earned by the film will be donated to the JDRF.
