Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks (born January 31, 1931) is an American former Major League Baseball player who played from 1953 to 1971. Banks is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. His nickname was "Mr. Cub."

He was born in Dallas, Texas, signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League in 1950 and broke into the major leagues in 1953 with the Chicago Cubs as their first black player. Banks played for the Cubs his entire career starting at shortstop and moving to first base in 1962. Banks, who wore the number 14 as a Cub, is one of only three Cubs players who have had their number retired by the organization, along with Billy Williams (#26) and Ron Santo (#10). Both were teammates of Banks' in the 1960's and 70's. He is well known for his catch phrase of "let's play two", expressing his wish to play a double-header every day out of his pure love for the game of baseball.

Accomplishments

His biggest individual accomplishments were:

Career

• being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977
• being a 11 time member of the National League All-Star team
• National League Most Valuable Player (1958 and 1959)
• National League Shortstop Gold Glove (1960)

Major League Single Season Records

• 5 grand slam home runs in 1955

Years Led League by Statistical category

• led the Major League Shortstops in Fielding Average and fewest errors once
• led the National League 6 times in Games played
• led the National League 4 times in Extra base hits
• led the National League twice in Home runs and Runs batted in
• led the National League once in Slugging percentage, Total bases and At bats

See also

• First black MLB players by team and date

External link

• Ernie Banks' career statistics at Baseball-Reference.com