When Ron Santo's Career Went South

The idea that Ron Santo once played for the White Sox is preposterous, but the should-be Hall of Famer did indeed spend the final season of his 15-year career on the South Side. And Santo has always made it clear that it was the most miserable experience of his playing career.

After an aging Cubs team limped home with a disappointing 77-84 record to finish fifth place in the National League East in 1973, general manager John Holland decided that it was time to back up the truck.

Among the longtime fan favorites who were shipped elsewhere in exchange for younger talent were Fergie Jenkins, Glenn Beckert, and Randy Hundley.

Santo was the first player to exercise his right to veto a trade as a "10-and-five" player, when he blocked a trade to the California Angels. He expressed a desire to remain in Chicago, so Holland a few days later dealt him to the Sox in exchange for pitchers Steve Stone and Ken Frailing, and catcher Steve Swisher.

When Santo reported for spring training with the Sox in Sarasota, Fla., he was told by manager Chuck Tanner that he would be used at second base and as a designated hitter. The Sox, Santo was told, already had a third baseman in Bill Melton. So Santo, a nine-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner and the best NL third baseman of his era, was told that he'd be converted to another position.

"I really had no problem with Melton. We're good friends," Santo told the late Rick Talley in The Cubs of '69 (Contemporary Books, 1989). "But I didn't get along with Tanner and all of his bullshit. I saw Richie Allen getting away with murder - showing up five minutes before a game and Tanner asking him, 'Do you want to play?' - and I knew I had to get out."

Santo played in 117 games with the Sox and hit .221 with five homers and 41 RBI. The Sox were 80-80 and finished fourth in the American League West.

He retired after the season despite being just 34 and having a contract that would have guaranteed him $120,000 in 1975.