The numbers are perfectly clear. Santo was a better hitter than Brooks Robinson. And while Robinson was superior defensively, Santo won 5 Gold Gloves. The numbers themselves are at the very least near-HOF worthy. But throw in the accounts of his determination and the years of broadcasting, and I think there's no doubt he deserves a spot in Cooperstown.
Bill James, who invented the HOF Monitor, rates Santo as the 6th best third baseman of all time, ahead of several other HOF members.