Mr. Cub never lost his charm, passion
‘One of the greatest players of all time’ mourned
CHICAGO — Even as the Chicago Cubs lost one game after another, Ernie Banks never lost hope. That was the charm of ‘Mr. Cub.’
Banks, the Hall of Fame slugger and two-time MVP who always maintained his boundless enthusiasm for baseball despite decades of playing on miserable teams, died Friday night. He was 83.
The Cubs announced Banks’ death, but did not provide a cause. He hit 512 home runs in his 19-year career and was fond of saying, “It’s a great day for baseball. Let’s play two!”
In fact, that finish to his famous catchphrase adorns his statue outside Wrigley Field.
“Words cannot express how important Ernie Banks will always be to the Chicago Cubs, the city of Chicago and Major League Baseball. He was one of the greatest players of all time,” Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said.
“He was a pioneer in the major leagues. And more importantly, he was the warmest and most sincere person I’ve ever known.”
Though he was an 11-time AllStar from 1953-71, Banks never reached the post-season. The Cubs finished below .500 in all but six of his seasons. Still, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977 — the first year he was eligible — and was selected to baseball’s All-Century team in 1999.
His infectious smile and non-stop good humour despite his team’s dismal record endeared him to Chicago fans, who voted him the best player in franchise history.
In 2013, Banks was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom — by a noted White Sox fan, U.S. President Barack Obama.
Banks’ No. 14 was the first number retired by the Cubs and hangs on a flag from the left-field foul pole at Wrigley Field.
Banks was playing for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues when the Cubs discovered him in 1953 and bought his contract for $10,000. He made his major league debut at shortstop on Sept. 17 that year and hit his first home run three days later.
Tall and thin, Banks didn’t look like a power hitter, but he had strong wrists and a smooth, quick stroke, making hitting balls look effortless.
Banks’ best season was 1958 when he hit .313 with 47 homers and 129 RBIs.
He edged Willie Mays and Hank Aaron for his first MVP award.
Banks won the MVP again in 1959, becoming the first NL player to win it in consecutive years.
Banks retired after the 1971 season. He owned most of the Cubs’ career slugging records, some of which still stand today.