Product Description

This Old Cub is an acclaimed documentary about former nine-time 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 diabetes (insulin dependant). 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 eating chocolate bars based on how he felt from moment to moment. This Old Cub captures the spirit of a man and his will to achieve. Santo is the ultimate optimist and therefore the ultimate Cub.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42892 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-08-02
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 86 minutes

Amazon.com
Director Jeff Santo's This Old Cub is more homage to his father than a documentary. (And it's something of a calling card to baseball's Hall of Fame. It is not just for Chicago Cubs devotees or fans of old-school baseball, of which former third baseman Ron Santo is in a class by himself.) Anyone facing adversity or hardship will be inspired by Santo's moving story. Santo is in the pantheon of great Cubs players: hard-nosed and blue collar. In his 14-year career, he suffered heartbreaking setbacks, including the Cubs' ignominious 1969 collapse, and not yet making it into the Hall of Fame. But his unyielding courage, perseverance, and determination to not let diabetes strike him out far outshine his on-the-field heroics. Santa was diagnosed with diabetes at age 18, and for most of his playing career, he kept it a secret (at one point, he recalls a remarkable at-bat when Santo, seeing triple, somehow managed to hit a grand slam!). As Johnny Bench observes, "No disease could ever defeat him." One stirring scene is quintessential Santo. Now a double amputee, he is seen trying to acclimate himself to his walker. Unsteady on his prosthetic limbs, he stumbles. Jeff, who is working the camera, instinctively reaches out to help him. Ron waves him off. "I'm supposed to be doing this myself," he states. This Old Cub is affectionate, but unflinching. What it lacks in slick production values, it more than makes up in heart. Chicagoans and die-hard Cub fans Bill Murray, Gary Sinise, William Petersen, and Dennis Franz add some star power as they reminisce about the dreaded 1969 season, when it actually seemed like the Cubs would make it to the World Series before being overtaken by the "miracle" New York Mets. While This Old Cub efficiently covers all the bases of Santo's storied career as a player and broadcaster, it is more an uplifting story of a man facing the severest tests of his optimistic attitude (insert your own Cubs joke here). --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews

A GREAT Film about a GREAT guy!
I bought mutliple copies of this film last Fall at WRIGLEY and direct from the SANTO site! Jeff Santo (Ron's son)did a wonderful job with this documentary on his Dad! I had the pleasure of meeting RON a few times in recent years and he deserves a film like this and should be in the Hall of Fame. THIS OLD CUB is NOT just for CHICAGO CUBS fans...it's a film for everyone BUT if you like Baseball or know people suffering from Diabetes or suffer from it yourself, you will like the film that much more. GREAT extras on the DVD too!

For die-hard Cubs fans like myself, it's a must-see.
This film chronicles Ron Santo's battle with diabetes (which has taken both of his legs), and also his quest to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Both storylines use celebrities and baseball players to tell the story of Santo and his impressive career as player and Cubs broadcaster.

But what the film is really about is Santo's undying positive attitude about his health and the Cubs. It's an inspirational story to anyone, and particularly those who have dealt with major health problems.

For die-hard Cubs fans like myself, it's a must-see. For anyone who enjoys documentary films or inspirational stories, This Old Cub is a great pick.

Ron Santo: Cub Forever
Ron Santo should have a special place in every Cub fan's heart. Beyond that, this documentary should remind all bseball fans what the game is really about. Very few players these days exhibit the love of the game more than Ronny. In a day when money rules where players want to play, Santo shows how one man can truly love the city he plays for. This film proves beyond a doubt why Santo belongs in the Hall of Fame. It proves why Santo is the greatest Cub fan in history. It proves that no one bleeds Cubbie blue like Ronny.

Outside of the baseball context, this movie shows the power of the human spirit and a man's will to not only survive, but to inspire others to do the same. The footage of Ron coping with what diabetes has done to him will move even the most stoic person to tears. It is hard not to well up throughout this movie.

An essential for Cub fans, an essential for baseball fans, and a heart-warming story for those who just want to see the power of human will.