Ernie Banks

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. 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.

In Their Own Story

The air at Wrigley Field was crisp as Ernie Banks stepped into the batter's box, the familiar crack of the bat echoing against the ivy-covered walls. Even though he never donned the Cardinal red, his silhouette was a ghost in the machine of every National League rivalry game, a reminder that greatness knows no team boundaries.

Reader's Guide

Banks never appeared in a postseason game during his MLB career. He holds the major league record for most games played without a postseason appearance (2,528). The source does not mention any World Series championships for Banks.

Did You Know?

• Banks was the first NL player to win back-to-back MVP Awards (1958 and 1959).
• He hit 44 home runs in 1955, a single-season record among shortstops at the time.
• Banks was the Cubs' first black player, making his debut in September 1953.
• He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.