Ernest "Ernie" Banks (January 31, 1931 – January 23, 2015), nicknamed "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine", was an American professional baseball player. He was a Major League Baseball (MLB) shortstop and first baseman for 19 seasons, 1953 through 1971. He spent his entire MLB career with the Chicago Cubs. He was a National League (NL) All-Star for 11 seasons, playing in 14 All-Star Games. Banks is regarded by some as one of the greatest players of all time.Banks, born and raised in Dallas, Texas, entered Negro league baseball in 1950, playing for the Kansas City Monarchs. He served in the US military for two years and returned to the Monarchs before beginning his major league career in September 1953. Banks made his first MLB All-Star Game appearance in 1955. He received two consecutive National League Most Valuable Player awards in 1958 and 1959, and received his first and only Gold Glove award for shortstop in 1960.He was transferred to the left field position during the 1961 season followed by a final change to first base that year. Cubs manager Leo Durocher became frustrated with Banks in the mid-1960s, saying that the slugger's performance was faltering, but he felt that he was unable to remove Banks from the lineup due to the star's popularity among Cubs fans. Banks was a player-coach from 1967 through 1971. In 1970, Banks hit his 500th career home run. In 1972, he joined the Cubs coaching staff after his retirement as a player.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. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. In 1999, he was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. In 2013, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contribution to sports. Banks lived in the Los Angeles area.
Joey Banks, Alyna Olivia Banks, Jerry Banks, Jan Banks
Parents
Essie Banks, Eddie Banks
Siblings
Edna Mae Banks, Walter Banks, Eddie Banks Jr.
Awards
National League Most Valuable Player Award
Movies
Finding Buck McHenry
Star Sign
Aquarius
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Trademark
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His ever-present smile
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Quote
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It's a great day for a ball game; let's play two!
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[after his 500th home run] I was thinking about my mother and dad, about all the people in the Chicago Cubs organization that helped me and about the wonderful Chicago fans who have come out all these years to cheer me on. They've been a great inspiration to me.
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The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose.
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The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money.
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You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace.
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Fact
1
He died eight days before his 84th birthday.
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He was the Cubs' first black player.
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In his memoir "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid", author Bill Bryson said of Banks: "he was the nicest human being I've ever met in my life. It was like being friends with God.".
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Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 by President Barack Obama.
Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.
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Inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.
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He hit his 500th home run on May 12. When he retired, his career home run total was 512.
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Made major league debut on 17 September 1953.
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Uniform #14 retired by the Cubs.
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Became the first slugger to use a light bat after accidentally picking up a bat belonging to a teammate as a rookie. Hit five grand slam home runs in 1955, setting a major league record for grand slams in one season.
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Named to 11 National League All Star Teams (1955-1962, 1965, 1967 and 1969).
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Won 1960 National League Gold Glove Award at Shortstop.
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Finished in top 10 in voting for National League MVP in 1955, 1957 and 1960.
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Chicago Cubs Career Total Bases Leader(4,706).
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Chicago Cubs Career At Bats Leader(9,421).
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Chicago Cubs Career Games Played Leader(2,528).
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Born at 4:0am-CST
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Played professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1971. Won National League (NL) Most Valuable Player award in 1958 & 1959. Set a Major League record for home runs by a shortstop with 47 in 1958. Named to the MLB All-Century team in October, 1999 as a shortstop. Led NL in home runs in 1958 & 1960, and RBIs in 1958 & 1959. Hit 40 or more home runs four consecutive years (1957-1960) and five times overall. Never appeared in a playoff or World Series. Hit 512 career home runs. Had 100 or more RBIs eight times.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Roman
2006
Cyrus
Reversal of Misfortune
2005
Blind Man
Promised Land
2004/I
Ozzie
Malibooty!
2003
Video
Judge
Arli$$
2000
TV Series
Ernie Banks
Finding Buck McHenry
2000
TV Movie
Ollie Johnson
Where I Live
1993
TV Series
Johnson
Pastime
1990
Steamer Fan
Isabel's Honeymoon Hotel
1987
TV Series
Hill Street Blues
1985
TV Series
Cabbie
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
1984
TV Movie
Host
Blackjack
1978
Turbo
Insight
1977
TV Series
Horse
The Shooting of Dan McGrew
1965
Short
The Stranger (voice)
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes
1974
singer
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Jimmy Buffett: Live at Wrigley Field - The Labor Day Weekend Shows
2006
Video special thanks: "Mr. Cub"
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
1955 MLB All-Star Game
1955
TV Special
Himself - NL Shortstop
The Black Line
Documentary announced
Keep the Faith
2013
Documentary
Himself
Goose
2012
Documentary
Himself
We Believe
2009
Documentary
Himself
Prime 9
2009
TV Series
Himself
2008 MLB All-Star Game
2008
TV Special
Himself - Pre-Game Hall of Fame Ceremony
Cubs Forever: Celebrating 60 Years of WGN-TV and the Chicago Cubs
2008
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Diminished Capacity
2008
Himself
Jimmy Buffett: Live at Wrigley Field - The Labor Day Weekend Shows
2006
Video
Himself - 'Mr. Cub'
Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith
2005
TV Series
Himself
The History Makers
2005
Video documentary
Himself
Whose Curse Is Worse?: Red Sox and Cubs on Trial
2004
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Sports List
2004
TV Series
Himself - Guest Speaker
ESPN SportsCentury
2000-2004
TV Series documentary
Himself
100 Years of the World Series
2003
Video documentary
Himself
Yes, Dear
2003
TV Series
Himself
Sports Geniuses
2000
TV Series
Himself
Up Close Primetime
1998
TV Series
Himself
Married with Children
1993
TV Series
Himself
The Story of America's Classic Ballparks
1991
Video documentary
Himself
1990 MLB All-Star Game
1990
TV Special
Himself - 1st Pitch
Mr. Belvedere
1989
TV Series
Himself
Late Night with David Letterman
1989
TV Series
Himself
Greats of the Game
1985
TV Series
Guest
1983 MLB All-Star Game
1983
TV Special
Himself - NL Honorary Captain
King of the Hill
1974
Documentary
Himself (first base coach)
1969 MLB All-Star Game
1969
TV Special
Himself - NL First Baseman
1967 MLB All-Star Game
1967
TV Special
Himself - NL First Baseman
1965 MLB All-Star Game
1965
TV Special
Himself - NL First Baseman
1961 MLB All-Star Game
1961
TV Special
Himself - NL infielder
Home Run Derby
1960
TV Series
Himself
1958 MLB All-Star Game
1958
TV Special
Himself - NL Shortstop
1957 MLB All-Star Game
1957
TV Special
Himself - NL Shortstop
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
A Football Life
2016
TV Series
Himself
Prime 9
2011
TV Series
Himself
A Hall for Heroes: The Inaugural Hall of Fame Induction of 1939
2010
TV Movie documentary
Himself
DHL Presents Major League Baseball Hometown Heroes