Mr. Cub

Ernie Banks is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs. He played his entire 19-year career with the Chicago Cubs from 1953–1971. He was then elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. Every Cubs fan knows him as “Mr. Cub” and he has a statue outside of Wrigley of him along with his number 14 retired. He was beloved by fan for how much he loved baseball and his famous saying of “It's a beautiful day for a ballgame, let's play two”, referring how much he would love to play two-baseball game in one day.  

Banks broke into the Cubs as their first black player. When he played for the Cubs, he was the starting shortstop until moving to first base in 1962. Banks won the National League Most Valuable Player Award twice, in 1958 and 1959, despite the fact that the Cubs were not very good during those seasons. He became the first shortstop to win the MVP award in back-to-back seasons. On May 12, 1970 at Wrigley Field, Banks hit his 500th home run and Banks finished his career with 512 home runs. He holds multiple Cubs records and is regarded as one of their all-time best players.

On December 1, 1971, Banks retired and the Cubs signed him help out as a coach. On May 8, 1973, Cubs manager, Whitey Lockman was ejected in the 11th inning of a game against the San Diego Padres and Banks filled in as the manager. He was technically, but not officially the MLB's first black manager. Banks career was a great one. The only thing he is missing is a World Series ring. Ernie still can be seen around the friendly confines and he always put a smile on my face when they show him on TV. Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub, is the definition of how baseball should be played.

If you are looking for Ernie Banks Memorabilia or want to find out more about him, check out a  fan page of Ernie Banks