Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub dies at 83

Ernie Banks, the greatest power-hitting shortstop of the 20^th century and unconquerable optimist whose bright disposition never dimmed in nineteen seasons with the Chicago Cubs, died on January 23, 2015 in Chicago. He was 83. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama called Mr. Banks, “an incredible ambassador for baseball and for the city of Chicago” in a joint statement. “It’s a beautiful day, let’s play two” became the mantra of the man known as Mr. Cub, a fixture in what he called the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. The most popular Cub ever in a franchise dating to the 1870’s, Mr. Banks became as much an institution in Chicago as the first Mayor Daley, Michael Jordan and George Halas.

Banks was named the most valuable player in the National League in 1958 and 1959, the first to win the award in consecutive years, although the Cubs finished tied for fifth place each time. He was an All-Star in 11 seasons and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977, his first year of eligibility. Banks became the Cubs first African-American player on September 17, 1953, six years after Jackie Robinson broke the modern major league color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Like Robinson, Mr. Banks played for the Kansas City Monarchs, one of the Negro Leagues best known ball clubs, and when he joined the Cubs, many major league teams were still all White.

Mr. Banks received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, from President Obama in 2013. “I handed the President a bat that belonged to Jackie Robinson,” he told Sports Illustrated the next year. “The President held the bat in his hands – that was a thrill.”

Banks was the ninth player in major league history to hit 500 home runs, and when he retired after the 1971 season, his 293 home runs as a shortstop and his 47 homers in 1948 were career and single-season records for that position, marks eclipsed by Alex Rodriguez. He appeared in 2,528 games for the Cubs, a record for regular season appearances by a player who never reached the postseason, playing at shortstop until the early 1960’s, when he switched to first base because of leg problems.

Banks was a player-coach in the late 1960’s with the Chicago Cubs, and after his playing career ended, he spent two years as a full-time coach for the team. He later went on to part-time promotional work with the organization. He also served as a corporate spokesman and founded the Ernie Banks Live Above and Beyond Foundation, which supports underserved communities through various events and programs. He was also the first player to have his number retired by the Cubs, and his No. 14 flies from the left-field foul pole at Wrigley Field on game days. A statue depicting Banks in his batting stance was unveiled outside the ballpark in 2008. “Let’s Play Two” is inscribed on its base.

Atlanta Free Speech salutes Ernie Banks.