| This Old Cub | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Jeff Santo |
| Written by | Jeff Santo |
| Produced by | Joe Mantegna Jeff Santo Walgreens Chicago Tribune |
| Starring | Ron Santo Bill Murray Joe Mantegna Gary Sinise |
| Distributed by | Big Joe Productions JDRF Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (DVD) |
Release date |
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Running time | 122 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
This Old Cub is a 2004documentary film.[1] The film is centered on formerChicago Cubs third basemanRon Santo and both his playing days and his battle againstdiabetes.[2] The film was written, co-produced, and directed by Santo's son Jeff. It is often mentioned during Cub game broadcasts byPat Hughes, who was Santo's partner in theWGN Radio booth. The film was a gift from Jeff to his father as a part of the "Ron Santo Day" celebration that season after Santo had both his legs amputated[3] and had just missed induction into theMLB Hall of Fame a few months earlier. A portion of all proceeds from the release ofThis Old Cub are donated to theJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The film has raised over a half-million dollars for the JDRF. Cubfirst basemanErnie Banks,Gary Sinise,Bill Murray, formerChicago BearslinebackerDoug Buffone, and many others are interviewed in the film, which is narrated by actorJoe Mantegna.
The documentary inspired an Arizona teacher and lifelong Cub fan namedBill Holden to engage a 2100-mile walk fromArizona toWrigley Field to raise funds for the JDRF. Holden covered at least 12 miles each day, crossed six states, and battled hisarthritis during the nearly seven-month trek. Followed by the media, Holden arrived at Wrigley on July 1, 2005 where he threw out the first pitch and joined Santo in singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". The venture raised over $250,000 for the charity, and caused a dramatic spike in sales of the DVD. Derek Schaul, the leader of Chicago Cubs Bleacher Bums, wears a shirt to every game stating, "I walk for the cure because Ronnie can't! Go Cubbies!"
This Old Cub was co-produced byWalgreens Drug Stores and theChicago Tribune, both heavy sponsors of the JDRF.
The Los Angeles Times called the film a "terrific character sketch" although sometimes sentimental.[4]