Baseball Hall Pass Means Cushy Retirement

Induction comes roughly a year after his death

(NEWSER) - Ron Santo is getting a place in Cooperstown at last—almost exactly one year after his death . The Veterans Committee ushered the Cubs great into the Baseball Hall of Fame today, with 15 of its 16 members giving him the nod, the Chicago Tribune reports. Santo was the only candidate up for consideration to get the requisite 12 votes for induction; Jim Kaat came in second with 10 votes, followed by Minnnie Minoso and Gil Hodges with nine each. More»

Third-baseman became legendary broadcaster

(NEWSER) - Renowned Chicago Cubs third-baseman and broadcaster Ron Santo died last night in Arizona of complications from bladder cancer at age 70. “Ronnie will forever be the heart and soul of Cubs fans,” said the team’s chairman. “He enjoyed himself in the booth right to the end,” said a fellow broadcaster. The Tribune recounts his career on and off the field, including the time his toupee caught fire in the press box. More»

Hall of fame voters surprise yet again

(NEWSER) - Andre Dawson was the only player elected into the Hall of Fame today, with Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar missing the cut by just five and eight votes respectively. Dawson, one of only three players to hit 400 home runs and steal 300 bases, received 77.9% of the vote, a big jump from his 67.9% finish last year. “I can’t really explain the elation,” said Dawson. “It’s the greatest feeling an individual can have.” More»

Aaron, others want disgraced player in Hall of Fame

(NEWSER) - Pete Rose may yet have a shot at baseball’s Hall of Fame: Commissioner Bud Selig is weighing ending Rose’s lifetime ban for gambling on the sport, the New York Daily News reports. Hank Aaron, whose opinion counts heavily with Selig, told reporters over the weekend he’d like to see Rose in the Hall; members of its board of directors also want the suspension tossed. More»

(AP) - Jim Rice's icy glare melted into a wide smile. Brash, flamboyant Rickey Henderson was humbled by it all. The former left fielders were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame today along with the late Joe Gordon, and Henderson, baseball's all-time leading base stealer, was briefly overcome before evoking some hearty laughs. "My journey as a player is complete," he said. More»