Hall of Famer Ernie "Mr. Cub" Banks Dies at 83 - East Idaho News
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Hall of Famer Ernie “Mr. Cub” Banks Dies at 83

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110211 S ChicagoCubsLogo?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1422074573255Chicago Cubs/MLB(NEW YORK) — Ernie “Mr. Cub” Banks died on Friday night, just days before his 84th birthday, the Cubs confirmed. 

Banks was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977 after 19 seasons playing in Wrigley Field.

“Words cannot express how important Ernie Banks will always be to the Chicago Cubs, the city of Chicago and Major League Baseball. He was one of the greatest players of all time,” Tom Ricketts, chairman of the Cubs, said in a statement released by the team. “He was a pioneer in the major leagues. And more importantly, he was the warmest and most sincere person I’ve ever known.

“Approachable, ever optimistic and kind hearted, Ernie Banks is and always will be Mr. Cub. My family and I grieve the loss of such a great and good-hearted man, but we look forward to celebrating Ernie’s life in the days ahead.”

Banks made his debut for the Cubs in 1953, as the team’s first black player, and hit 512 homers, had 1,636 RBI’s, with 2,583 hits during his 19-year run with the club.

Banks ranks first in games played (2,528), at-bats (9,421), extra-base hits (1,009) and total bases (4,706); second in home runs (512), RBI (1,636) and hits (2,583); third in doubles (407); fifth in runs scored (1,305); seventh in triples (90); and eighth in walks (763). 

Banks was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2013.


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