Ron Santo: Former Chicago Cubs player Ron Santo dead at 70

R.I.P.: The Trib reports that former Chicago Cubs player Ron Santo is dead at 70

Many people believe that the beloved Chicago icon is the best player not in the Hall of Fame, excluding those not eligible and those tainted by steroids. His "Wins Above Replacement" calculation supports his Hall candidacy. Over the course of his career he was as valuable or more valuable than many Hall of Famers, and I don't mean just the marginal guys like Joe Tinker and Highpockets Kelly, but solid guys who unquestionably belong there. His career value is virtually equal to that of the following men: Willie McCovey, Al Simmons, Duke Snider, Home Run Baker, Goose Goslin, Yogi Berra, or Santo's famous teammate, Ernie Banks. That's definitely the right level.