Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame first baseman and shortstop Ernie Banks
passed away Friday at the age of 83. Dubbed "Mr. Cub," Banks suited
up on Chicago's North Side from 1953-71, slugging 512 home runs
over 19 seasons. A 14-time All-Star, he was elected to Cooperstown
in 1977. Banks was also active in the Chicago community during and
after his tenure with the Cubs. In 2013, he a was a recipient of
the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given to
citizens in the United States. He was the National League Most
Valuable Player in 1958 and 1959. Banks hit 47 home runs with 129
RBI in 1958 and followed up with 45 homers and 143 RBI in 1959.
During his career, Banks hit 512 home runs, 277 of which came at
shortstop. That still stands as the most in the National League for
a shortstop. He hit .274 and drove in 1,636 runs. Banks also became
the first African American to manage a major league team on May 8,
1973 when he took over for the ejected Whitey Lockman. He was also
the first player in Cubs history to have his number retired in 1982
and was voted to Major League Baseball's All-Century Team in 1999.
He was the first Cub to be honored with a statue at Wrigley Field
on March 31, 2008. Banks expressed his love of baseball in two
catchphrases, "It's a great day for baseball" and also "Let's play
two" for his expressive wish to play a doubleheader each day. He
is the Cubs' leader in games played (2,528), at-bats (9,421),
plate appearances (10,395) and extra-base hits (1,009).
