Santo Has Right Foot Amputated

Chicago Cub broadcaster and former All-Star third baseman Ron Santo had his right foot amputated Wednesday because of problems caused by diabetes.

“I spoke to him on the phone and he sounded great,” said Mary June Rose, program director for Chicago-based WGN Radio. “He was in good spirits and very alert and positive.”

The amputation was the first of two surgical procedures scheduled for Santo, 61. He is expected to have his right leg amputated below the knee on Monday.

Santo, a diabetic since the age of 18, has undergone nine operations in 10 weeks with hopes of correcting a circulatory problem.

Doctors determined last week that previous treatments had not been successful, leaving him with only one option.

“The last thing you want to do is lose your leg,” Santo said Tuesday on WGN Radio. “But you have to do what you have to do. It’s very difficult, but I know I’m going to get through this.”