Is Ron Santo the Biggest Hall of Fame Snub Ever?

On Monday, the annual announcement was made that the MLB Veterans Committee had not selected former Chicago Cubs third baseman Ron Santo for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Cubs fans everywhere are steaming, as are many in the Chicago media. Santo has been a fan favorite since he played the hot corner on the North Side in the 1960s and has been in the radio booth covering the team for two decades now.

How badly was Santo really snubbed by the Veterans, though? Where does Santo not getting into the Hall rank among the great "should be's" in sports? I can think of one specific player that lines up perfectly with Santo's story and case for enshrinement.

Andre Reed, WR, Buffalo Bills

Reed might be the best comparison to Santo because of a number of factors. Both weren't outwardly personable players, but were among the best of their generation at their given positions. They also shared one common sorrow: Even though they both played for good teams, neither ever won an elusive championship.

Looking at pure statistics, though, Reed definitely deserves enshrinement. He currently ranks sixth all time in career receptions and ninth in receiving yards. He went to seven Pro Bowls and is eighth all time in postseason games started. Reed was also a good blocker, helping Thurman Thomas into the Hall of Fame.

Reed fans will continue looking at his contemporaries like Tim Brown, Cris Carter, and of course, Jerry Rice, and wonder what has taken so long for Reed to get his well-deserved shrine in Canton.

Similarly, Santo's numbers validate his candidacy for the Hall. He was a nine-time All Star, won five Gold Gloves, and led the National League in a number of offensive categories during his career. Like Reed, he trumps most of his contemporary third basemen in almost all offensive categories.

In fact, Santo's career offensive numbers blow away those of fellow third baseman Brooks Robinson, who has only two things that Santo doesn't from his days in Baltimore: a World Series ring and membership in the Hall of Fame.

Like Santo, Reed had a team full of other Hall of Famers: Reed played next to Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas, while Santo batted between Billy Williams and Ernie Banks. Perhaps the quality of the players, and indeed personalities, next to each of them cost them their rightful place among the greats.