Ernie Banks

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Banks is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He began playing professional baseball in 1950 with the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro leagues. He served in the U.S. military for two years, played for the Monarchs again, and began his National League career in September 1953. The following year, Banks was the National League Rookie of the Year runner-up. Beginning in 1955, Banks was a National League (NL) All-Star for 11 seasons, playing in 13 of the 15 All-Star Games held during those years. Banks was the Cubs' main attraction in the late 1950s, the National League Most Valuable Player in 1958 and 1959, and the Cubs' first Gold Glove winner in 1960. In 1962, Banks became a regular first baseman for the Cubs. Between 1967 and 1971, he was a player-coach. In 1969, through a Chicago Sun-Times fan poll, Cubs fans voted him the greatest Cub ever. In 1970, Banks hit his 500th career home run at Wrigley Field. He retired from playing in 1971, was a coach for the Cubs in 1972, and in 1982 was the team's first player to have his uniform number retired.

In Their Own Story

In June 1961, Banks faced a significant turning point due to a knee injury suffered during his Army service. After playing 717 consecutive games, he removed himself from the lineup, ending his pursuit of Stan Musial's record of 895 games. The Cubs moved him from shortstop to left field and then to first base by June, where he learned the position from Charlie Grimm. He recalled the loneliness of left field, saying only a "duck out of water" could share his feelings. Before this shift, Banks had been an offensive force; in 1958, he hit a career-best 47 home runs and led the league with 129 RBIs, becoming the first National League player to win back-to-back MVP awards while on a below-.500 team. He followed this with another 45-home run season in 1959. In 1960, he became the first Cubs player to win a Gold Glove for shortstop.

Reader's Guide

Banks was active in the Chicago community during and after his tenure with the Cubs. He founded a charitable organization, became the first black Ford Motor Company dealer in the United States, and made an unsuccessful bid for a local political office. In 2013, Banks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama for his contribution to sports.

Did You Know?

• Banks was born in Dallas, Texas, on January 31, 1931, the second of twelve children.
• He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1950, where he lettered in basketball, football and track.
• Banks served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War and played part-time with the Harlem Globetrotters while stationed at Fort Bliss.
• He hosted a program on 1450 WHFC in the late 1950s.
• Banks was the first NL player to win back-to-back MVP Awards (1958 and 1959).