'Ron Santo Suite' raises money for diabetes research

April 4, 2012 (CHICAGO)

"The pictures we picked out were, I think, special pictures that during his playing career ... that I know he enjoyed in life. And again ... the black cat. The famous black cat photo," Ron Santo Jr. said.

Memorabilia includes a Santo jersey from 1969, a video -- produced by Santo's son, Jeff -- "This Old Cub," which tells the entire Wanto story.

"Every time this suite is booked $100 of that suite will go directly to JDRF. Also ... $1000 will go to JDRF when the Cubs play at home and win that home game," Brent Menzel, general manager at Westin Michigan Avenue, said.

The suite rents for $600 a night.

"We know for sure he helped raised more than $60 million because that's really the net result of thirty four years going," Patrick Reedy, executive director, JDRF of Illinois, said.

The suite opens with photos from the 1960s and 1970s. A Hall of Fame, Santo style.

"It's a nice entrance for the fans to come in," Ron Santo Jr. said. "The Hall of Fame, yeah. It's such a good idea ... we'll name it that."

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