I Blog Dead People

I’ll admit it, there’s going to be a slight dead-people feel to this week’s blog. It’s just how things played out.

· What did you say? Cubs legend Ron Santo finally made the MLB Hall of Fame after a long wait and a career that is paralleled by few at his position during his era? That’s fantastic, I bet he was really happy to hear the news that… wait, what’s that? Ron died a year ago?
Admittedly, Santo was a shameless self-promoter when it came to getting into the Hall, but there wasn’t a question that his numbers were good enough or better than other third-basemen in the history of the game. Every time Ronny was on the main ballot, he’d get shot down. Year after year after year. The tradition continued when he got bumped off the main ballot after exhausting his time on there and going onto the Veterans Committee ballot, which was only voted on once every two years. It got to a point where there were cameras present as he’d sit by the phone waiting for the call that would never come. A friend of mine went so far as to suggest that the statue that was erected of Santo outside of Wrigley should be his sitting and staring at a phone.
So, the last time Ronny was eligible for the Hall of Fame was two years ago. Somehow, when Ronny was alive, he wasn’t a good enough legend to be in the HOF. They couldn’t give him the glorious final year of his life that he deserved. And it’s not like this was a shock. Santo’s presence on this Earth the last 3-5 years was not an easy one, and we all knew that the game could be over at any time. Something tells me that the folks on the VC knew as well as we did that he wasn’t long for this world.
Admittedly, they did change the structure of the VC voting rules, and that in a 16 vote field, one of the votes was a teammate of his, but I still don’t get it. What changed? What changed between 2 years ago and now that Ron Santo is suddenly a Hall of Fame caliber talent. The man last played in the 1970s, it’s not like he had a chance to put up some “late career numbers” or anything. He didn’t even have legs! (too soon?) The stats are and were complete, nothing changed. He was either deserving or he wasn’t, period.
Believe me, I’m thrilled that he’s finally going to be enshrined in Cooperstown, as are Cubs fans all over the country. But like them, I wish he was still around to truly enjoy it. And something tells me he may have seen something like this coming. Maybe he wrote a fabulous speech to be read by one of his kids that says “Really? Really?” before going on to thank everyone he’d want to thank. And I do know one other thing: wherever he is, he’s relieved and truly enjoying this.

· So, I see that a whole bunch of people are taking a huge dump all over the posthumous Amy Winehouse release, Lioness: Hidden Treasures. What’s the deal with that? It’s like they’re treating it as if she went into the studio a few months ago and decided to slap together an album out of nowhere. Just like many artists, especially those who passed on too soon, this is a typical “rarities” album. It’s not to be taken as an attempt at cohesion or continuity. It’s presented as if to say “hey, look at the kind of stuff we might have been exposed to had she lived,” even though these songs and versions of previously released tracks likely would never have seen the light of day. The cut that stands out to me is “Tears Dry (Original Version)” which would later become Back To Black’s “Tears Dry On Their Own.” It’s an extremely haunting version, partially due to the tempo and partially due to the fact that a couple of the lyrics seem to take on a new meaning. But, honestly, why give this one star or no stars and call it a complete debacle. This is a very serviceable record with a few gems on it, and I think that her fans will be happy to have it. I’m not saying I’ll be putting this on the ol’ Victrola time after time for the next ever, but I think it’s enjoyable. And if you haven’t picked up the Tony Bennett Duets album with her on it, that track is represented in Lioness. Just sayin’.

How about someone that’s alive, but whose career is likely dead:

· Herman Cain: we hardly knew ye’. Problem is, there might be a few gals who knew you too well. All too well.

As we enter the heart of the holiday season, I just want you all to remember one thing: I love your pants.