Family spokesman John McDonough confirmed to WGN in Chicago that Santo - widely regarded as one of the best players not in the Hall of Fame - died in an Arizona hospital.
WGN says the former All-Star third baseman had bladder cancer. Santo had called Cubs games on WGN since 1990.
Santo battled diabetes as a player and a broadcaster but always had a positive outlook. "What else am I going to do?" Santo told WGN this past season about working despite physical ailments. "Doing the Cubs games is like therapy for me."
Santo was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 18 and battled a myriad of medical problems after retiring as a player. He lost both legs to diabetes.
Santo, who teamed with Cubs radio voice Pat Hughes in the Wrigley Field booth, made no apologies for his homerism regarding the Cubs as their fans lived their frustrations through the former All-Star.
Ron Santo Dies Aged 70
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