Symbol Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Did a search and went through the first 2 pages and saw nothing about this so hopefully I didn't miss anything. If so, please delete this or merge it. http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/12219755/ernie-banks-former-chicago-cubs-great-dies-age-83 Beloved "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks has died at age 83, the Chicago Cubs confirmed Friday night. He was fond of saying, "It's a great day for baseball. Let's play two!" That remains a catchphrase at Wrigley Field to this day. More from ESPN.com "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," Tom Ricketts, chairman of the Cubs, said in a statement released by the team. "He was a pioneer in the major leagues. And more importantly, he was the warmest and most sincere person I've ever known. "Approachable, ever optimistic and kind hearted, Ernie Banks is and always will be Mr. Cub. My family and I grieve the loss of such a great and good-hearted man, but we look forward to celebrating Ernie's life in the days ahead." The Cubs paid tribute to Banks on the Wrigley Field marquee Friday night: A 19-year-old Banks debuted for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues in 1950. After a two-year stint in the Army, Banks returned to the Monarchs, who sold his contract to the Cubs in 1953. [+] EnlargeAP Photo/Jim Prisching"There's sunshine, fresh air, and the team's behind us," Ernie Banks said during his Hall of Fame induction speech in 1977. "Let's play two!" Banks made his debut for the Cubs in 1953, as the team's first black player. In his 19-year career, he played in 14 All-Star Games, hit 512 home runs (including five seasons with 40 or more) and was the first National League player to win back-to-back MVP honors. He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, his first year eligible. Banks is the Cubs' leader in games played (2,528), at-bats (9,421), plate appearances (10,395) and extra-base hits (1,009). He is second in home runs, hits (2,583) and RBIs (1,636). He became the first player in franchise history to have his number retired in 1982, as his flag flies from the left-field foul pole to this day. He was also voted to Major League Baseball's All-Century Team and honored on the field at the All-Star Game in Fenway Park in 1999. For all of the 19 seasons and 2,528 games Banks played in a Cubs uniform, he never played in the postseason. Banks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor awarded to civilians in the United States, by President Barack Obama in 2013. Banks would have turned 84 on Jan. 31. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 RIP sir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 One of the great players and, even more so, personalities of the game. I've heard quotes from colleagues and opponents saying they've never met anyone with a more positive disposition than Ernie Banks. A true ambassador of the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Very Sad. Few summers ago when Pearl Jam played Wrigley, there was a crazy rainstorm that paused the show for a few hours. When they came back on at like midnight, they brought out Ernie. Then this happened Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsmarydu Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 RIP sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.A.C.O.L.B. Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Saw this cool little vid of HR's 498, 499 and 500. Also, growing up back in the day, when ESPN Classic was brand new and pretty cool, they always showed this old show from like the 50's. Absolutely LOVED it. Black and white. It was a 2-man superstar HR Derby type showdown. It was awesome. Being a little kid baseball-history nerd, it didn't get any better. It's been 20 years and I was just a little kid but I seem to remember seeing Banks on there a ton. Mantle too. Also seem to remember it being filmed at Wrigley. Anyway, RIP to one the true all time greats. And defintely one of those rare ones that are superstars on the field and off it (high character). RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRobi21 Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 How cool is this.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWD9w5PyzCM RIP Mr. Banks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.A.C.O.L.B. Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Lol that's it. That was pre-Internet days, ESPN Classic, so growing up hearing about these legends, getting a chance to watch a show like that on TV was just the coolest thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Used to see the HR derby replays back in the 80s. They were done at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. Yes, there was a Wrigley in LA. RIP Ernie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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