Banks, Ernie (1931-2015), was one of the greatest hitters and most popular players in major league baseball history. Banks hit 512 home runs during his career. He led the National League in homers in 1958 and 1960. He also led the league in runs batted in for the 1958 and 1959 seasons. Banks was voted the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1958 and 1959. His outgoing personality made him particularly popular with fans and the media. He was affectionately known as “Mr. Cub,” and his uniform number—14—was the first number retired by the Chicago Cubs organization, meaning no other Cub player would ever wear that number.
Ernest Banks was born in Dallas on Jan. 31, 1931. He joined the Kansas City Monarchs, a Negro league team, in 1950. After spending two years in the U.S. Army, he returned to the Monarchs in 1953. The Monarchs sold his contract to the Chicago Cubs later that year. Banks thus became the first African American player to play for the Cubs. Banks spent his entire major league career with the team. He began his career as a shortstop with the Cubs and then shifted to first base in 1962. He retired as a player after the 1971 season. He was a coach for the Cubs in 1972 and 1973. Banks was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. Banks died on Jan. 23, 2015.
