Ron Santo: 10 Biggest Fan-Favorite Players in Chicago Cubs History

With every passing moment in an MLB player's career comes a metaphorical proving grounds. From the opportunity to prove your greatness and solidify glory to the unfortunate turn of events that leads some to falling out of favor, keeping your name in a positive light can be a double-sided blade.

So how do the following names remain so revered in the eyes of the most loyal but ferocious fans in all of baseball?

Led by the legendary Ron Santo, the following slideshow will outline the most beloved players in Chicago Cubs history. From the recent stars to the original pacemakers, the names should offer nothing short of nostalgia.

So who stole the north side's hearts?

Honorable Mention: Sammy Sosa

While playing in Chicago, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more popular player than Sammy Sosa. From the record-breaking home runs to the memorable two-finger kisses, the 1998 NL MVP stole the love of every Cubs fan in the world.

Unfortunately, the later half of his career was not as kind to his name or reputation. This greatly damaged his popularity amongst Cubs fans and drops him from a deserving spot in the top five to a mere Honorable Mention.

10. Lee Smith

From the heart-warming smile off of the field to the intimidating 6'6" stature on the mound, Lee Smith took Chicago for a roller coaster ride of emotions. One-hundred eighty saves later, Smith solidified himself as a fan favorite.

Smith ended his career with a total of 478 saves. None of the 298 he converted in other uniforms mean anything to Cubs fans, though, as it was his high-powered stuff and big-time strikeouts from 1980 to 1987 that stole Chicago's hearts.

Those 681 and a third innings pitched in a Cubs uniform will never be forgotten. Nor will that lovable afro.

9. Greg Maddux

Greg Maddux is an eight-time All-Star, four-time Cy Young award winner and 18-time Gold Glove award winner. As we find with most superstar athletes, he came from humble beginnings.

Maddux won the first of his four consecutive Cy Young awards with the Chicago Cubs. This came as a result of Maddux's career-best 20 wins, nine complete games, four shutouts and 2.18 ERA. While Maddux would top most of those marks as a member of the Atlanta Braves, Cubs fans know where he really came from.

Maddux was a young marksman from 1986 to 1992, growing into the legend he'd become upon joining the Braves for the '93 season. He wowed and dazzled Cubs fans for seven years and eventually came back to Chicago to win 38 more games from 2004 to 2006.

Greg Maddux had his No. 31 retired by the Cubbies right alongside Ferguson Jenkins, who wore that very number. Both saw their number raised high on May 3, 2009.

8. Mark Grace

Mark Grace was a member of the Chicago Cubs from 1988 to 2000. He was a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove award winner and one of the most popular faces around the MLB. Even though he never posted MVP numbers, he was always the most personable player around Wrigley.

Grace finished his career with a batting average of .303. He also tallied 2,445 hits, 1,146 RBI and won a World Series in 2001 as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Grace also finished the 1990s with the most hits of any player in the major leagues at 1,754.

He also led the decade in doubles with 364 and sacrifice flies with 73. To put it simply, Mark Grace knew how to take care of business.

Grace, who hit for the cycle in 1993, was always respected by fans for his consistency on the field and friendliness off of it. Even 12 years after he left Chicago, he's a face that you can expect to see around Wrigley and as friendly a guy as you could find.

Who else would high-five rival Mark McGwire upon hitting his record-setting 62nd home run? Class doesn't begin to describe Mark Grace.

7. Kerry Wood

On May 6th, 1998 the baseball world changed forever. At just 20 years old, Kerry Wood hit the mound and threw a one-hit, no walk shutout that had the baseball world buzzing.

The fact that he struck out an MLB record 20 batters sent the rest of the world into a frenzy.

Wood would finish the season with a 13-6 record and go on to win the NL Rookie of the Year award. Unfortunately, he ended up succumbing to elbow soreness which later required Tommy John surgery.

Injuries came at a premium in Wood's career but so did the highlights. He became the first pitcher to hit a home run in the NLCS since Rick Sutcliffe in 1984. Wood also stood in as half of the Cubs' most hyped pitching tandem in franchise history with Mark Prior.

While Wood may be recognized more for his injuries than his abilities, Cubs fans keep him close to their hearts. Wood was as loyal to the fans as they were to him and finished his career in 2012 in an admirable way.

Kerry Wood will forever remain a fan favorite amongst Cubs fans and others alike.

6. Billy Williams

The 1961 NL Rookie of the Year won the hearts of Cubs fans with his smooth swing, consistent bat work and status as a pre-Ripken iron man. His 1,117 consecutive games played set an NL record until Steve Garvey broke the legendary mark.

Sweet swinging Billy Williams finished his career with 426 home runs, 1,475 RBI and 2,711 hits. He walked away with a remarkable .290 batting average and won the 1972 Batting Title by hitting .333 with 37 home runs and 122 RBI.

Just two years after he had hit .322 along with 42 home runs and 129 RBI.

What made Williams so appealing was his cool demeanor both on and off the field. To this day, he's considered one of the most personable people around Wrigley Field. Even if you put a bat in his hands at 74 years old, he'd give you a smile and smack out a home run.

As are the ways of Billy from Whistler.

5. Andre Dawson

The man they call "The Hawk" was once one of the most feared players in the world. The five-tool standout was doing everything before players did everything, and even earned the praise of Ryne Sandberg as the best player he had ever seen.

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No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more or did it better than Andre Dawson. He's the best I've ever seen. Stand up Hawk. The Hawk. I watched him win MVP for a last place team in 1987 and it was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen in baseball. He did it the right way, the natural way and he did it in the field and on the bases and in every way, and I hope he will stand up here someday.

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Does anything more need to be said about the eight-time All-Star, eight-time Gold Glove award winner and 1987 NL MVP? Cubs fans love him and the Hall of Fame does too.

Dawson got his long-awaited call in 2010.

4. Fergie Jenkins

Ferguson Arthur Jenkins was one of the greatest athletes in MLB history. Jenkins finished with 284 career wins, 3,192 strikeouts and a lifetime ERA of 3.34. He also hit 13 career home runs, including six in 1971.

After all was said and done, Jenkins went on to become a member of the storied Harlem Globetrotters.

Jenkins was a three-time All-Star and won the 1971 NL Cy Young Award. What really separated No. 31 from the pack, however, was his charisma and energy. Jenkins remains a fan favorite around the ballpark and got his Hall of Fame bid in 1991.

And to think, he did all of this in the hitter-friendly Wrigley Field.

3. Ryne Sandberg

Ryne Sandberg made 10 consecutive All-Star appearances and won nine consecutive Gold Glove awards. He won seven Silver Slugger awards, the 1990 Home Run Derby and was named the NL MVP in 1984.

Did I mention that the guy could field his position? Sandberg's .989 fielding percentage ranks first in major league history amongst all second baseman.

As for why he's so beloved, it goes beyond the greatness. Ryne Sandberg spent 15 of his illustrious 16 major league seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He also went on to become a staff member in their farm system. Regardless of what you're looking for in loyalty, Sandberg has exemplified it for decades on hand.

For those NBA buffs out there, let it be known that Ryne Sandberg was the original Chicago 23. His number was retired at Wrigley Field on August 28, 2005.

He himself was named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

2. Ernie Banks

How could you do anything but love Mr. Cub?

Ernie Banks remains a familiar face around Wrigley Field. For those who only know him from his friendly appearances, however, let it be known that he wasn't always the nicest guy around. Well, that is if you're speaking of his treatment of opposing pitchers.

Banks was a 14-time All-Star from 1955 to 1969, winning two NL MVP awards along the way. His 512 career home runs and 1,636 career RBI offer a great reason as to why. The fact that he led the National League in home runs and RBI twice, as well as extra bases another four times, is just icing on the cake.

Banks was the first player in Cubs history to have his number retired, as Chicago retired his No. 14 in 1982. The 1990 All-Star Game was also dedicated to him, while countless analysts refer to him as one of the 50 greatest players of all time.

Ernie Banks was a class act and, arguably, the greatest Cub to ever put on a uniform. For those reasons, he has earned the moniker of "Mr. Cub."

Note: Ernie Banks was the unofficial first African-American manager in Major League Baseball. On May 8, 1973, Cubs manager Whitey Lockman was ejected, leaving Banks in charge. The Cubs ended up winning that game by a count of 3-2 in 12 innings.

Mr. Cub can do it all.

1. Ron Santo

Resilience. Toughness. Purity. Chicago Cubs. Those four words and phrases have never been as fitting to a human being as they are to Ron Santo, who walked as tall as any man despite two partially amputated legs.

Ron Santo was a nine-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove award winner and had his No. 10 retired by the Chicago Cubs in 2003. Santo retired with a career .277 batting average, as well as 342 home runs and 1,331 RBI.

After his playing career came to a close in 1974, Santo entered the broadcasting booth in 1990. Known as "the biggest Cubs fan of all time," Santo would become one of the voices of the Chicago Cubs. This only padded his resume as the most beloved Cub in franchise history.

Santo tragically passed away on December 3, 2010, succumbing to a battle with diabetes that took six decades to get the best of him. As we all know, however, nothing and no one got the best of Ron Santo.

Ron Santo got the best out of everyone and everything.