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Forums > General Discussion > RIP Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub
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Thread started 01/23/15 9:01pm

728huey

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RIP Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub

Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks, one of the greatest baseball players in franchise history and a pioneer African Ameican player in Major League Baseball, has died. He was 83 years old.





http://wgntv.com/2015/01/...-has-died/

Banks began his professional baseball career at 19 when he signed a contract with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. After two years in the army, Banks’ contract was sold by the Monarchs to the Cubs for $10,000.

Banks was the first African-American to play in a Cubs game, playing a handful of contests in 1953. Starting in 1954, he rarely left the Cubs lineup for 18 years. Banks rose to stardom in 1955 with a 44 home run season. He won the National League MVP in 1958 and 1959.

Despite Banks’ success, the Cubs continued to lose–until 1969. The Cubs became a contender that summer, only to collapse late in the season and miss out on the playoffs. Banks continued to put up numbers, hitting his 500th home run in 1970.

Banks retired following the 1971 season with 512 career home runs. He continued to serve as a Cubs coach, instructor and administrator. Banks was bestowed with the Presidental Medal of Honor at the White House in 2013. His number was the first retired by the Cubs and in 2008 the team unveiled a statue of Banks off the corner of Clark and Addison.


cry bawl sad pray rose dove typing

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Reply #1 posted 01/24/15 7:59am

Pokeno4Money

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Glad to see this mentioned here, Ernie was one of the all-time greats.



Let's Play Two.


pray

"Never let nasty stalkers disrespect you. They start shit, you finish it. Go down to their level, that's the only way they'll understand. You have to handle things yourself."
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Reply #2 posted 01/25/15 10:41pm

TD3

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The year was 1969 and we thought the CUBS were on their way to the World Series.

I can't say we sneaked in to the stadium, we just walked in. We made it down to seats behind the Cubs dugout and one of my friends yelled out, "Mr. Banks are you down there!" Ernie heads pops-up, smiling says, Yes I am! Mr. Banks spoke with us 'bout 20 min. We all had gloves so we threw a couple of balls back and forth between he and other Cub players. When you look at the talent... the other Hall of Famers from Bank's Cub years, you wonder why W.S. was so elusive. RIP Mr. Banks.



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[Edited 1/26/15 5:41am]

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Reply #3 posted 01/26/15 10:00am

HuMpThAnG

rose

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Reply #4 posted 01/26/15 6:35pm

Pokeno4Money

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TD3 said:

When you look at the talent... the other Hall of Famers from Bank's Cub years, you wonder why W.S. was so elusive.


It's further proof that baseball is a team sport more than any other, same reason why Ted Williams played in only one World Series and never won a championship.

"Never let nasty stalkers disrespect you. They start shit, you finish it. Go down to their level, that's the only way they'll understand. You have to handle things yourself."
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