Cubs to honor Ernie Banks with statue at Wrigley Field

[Chris]

From the Cubs:

 

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today announced that the club will honor legendary Cubs infielder Ernie Banks, better known as “Mr. Cub,” with a statue to be erected at Wrigley Field by Opening Day 2008.

 

Banks spent his 19-year career (1953-1971) exclusively with the Cubs and owns franchise records with 2,528 games played and 1,009 extra-base hits. He ranks second in Cubs history with 2,583 hits, 512 home runs and 1,636 RBI. The 14-time National League All-Star earned N.L. Most Valuable Player award honors in 1958 and 1959, and was enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

 

“This is richly deserved for Ernie Banks and it is a great way to honor ‘Mr. Cub,’” said Cubs President John McDonough. “The statue will help immortalize someone who continues to have a tremendous impact on the Cubs and its fans, just as he did while he was on the playing field.”

 

The statue’s exact location at Wrigley Field has yet to be determined and will be commissioned through the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt-Amrany, the same company that produced other notable statues such as the

Harry Caray piece at Wrigley Field and the Michael Jordan statue at the United Center.

 

“This is a truly tremendous honor. I would like to thank John McDonough, the entire Cubs organization and its fans, as well as all the people who helped me throughout my playing career,” Banks said. “The Cubs mean everything to me.”

 

All told, Banks batted .274 with 512 homers and 1,636 RBI for Chicago while his 47 home runs in 1958 set the N.L. single-season mark for long balls by a shortstop. He was the first Cub to have his number retired by the franchise, as the honor was bestowed on his No. 14 on August 22, 1982.

 

=D>

[C.C.]

It's about freaking time!

[Soriano12]

yes. long overdue.

[Fred Hornkohl]

I'm so glad they're doing this before Ernie passes away !!!

[seanimal]

Hmm, don't get me wrong, I'm all for honoring Ernie Banks as the next guy, but uh, to make a statue of someone who's still alive seems kind of... odd.

[jersey cubs fan]

Hmm, don't get me wrong, I'm all for honoring Ernie Banks as the next guy, but uh, to make a statue of someone who's still alive seems kind of... odd.

 

Like the Michael Jordan statue?

[daske17]

Hmm, don't get me wrong, I'm all for honoring Ernie Banks as the next guy, but uh, to make a statue of someone who's still alive seems kind of... odd.

 

Michael Jordan, Carlton Fisk and Minnie Minoso would all like a word with you.

[Soriano12]

Gotta give credit to McDonugh. He is getting alot of things done.

 

We probably would have never seen this on McPhails watch.

[Lukin]

Continued celebration of losing does not deserve applause, does not deserve "its about time"s. The Cubs franchise is larger then a single player, no matter how good that player is.

 

I would agree that from the standpoint of "who most deserves a statue" the answer is Ernie or Ron. But I argue the statue does not belong. His number is retired, he is in the hall, he is on the walk of fame, he is given the moniker "Mr. Cub". That is more then sufficient celebration of his career as a Chicago Cub.

 

Im not saying that the statue will deface the park. Im just saying Ernie Banks' career has been sufficiently celebrated. I loath hypercelebration of players and achievements and thats what I classify this as.

[jersey cubs fan]

Gotta give credit to McDonugh. He is getting alot of things done.

 

We probably would have never seen this on McPhails watch.

 

It's a statue of an ex-player. I wouldn't list this under "getting things done" for a team presidents' list of accomplishments.

[Andy]

:D

 

I can't wait to see it.

[Soriano12]

Continued celebration of losing does not deserve applause, does not deserve "its about time"s. The Cubs franchise is larger then a single player, no matter how good that player is.

 

 

Wrong. The Cubs organization is small pathetic running joke for nearly 100 years. The only memories worth salvaging are the individual great players that had the unfortunate luck of playing on such piss poor teams.

[Lukin]

One need only look to the foul pole to remember Mr. Banks. If you feel a giant bronze statue is needed to remember the players place in the franchise lore, then the player doesnt deserve the reverence.

[Garwilly]

Way to go Cubs.

[Soriano12]

Not only will I "celebrate" this staute, I shall make a false idol of it.

[Guest]

One need only look to the foul pole to remember Mr. Banks. If you feel a giant bronze statue is needed to remember the players place in the franchise lore, then the player doesnt deserve the reverence.

 

well, its better than a statue of an announcer.

[seanimal]

Hmm, don't get me wrong, I'm all for honoring Ernie Banks as the next guy, but uh, to make a statue of someone who's still alive seems kind of... odd.

 

Like the Michael Jordan statue?

 

Hmm, I think there is a distinct difference between Banks and Jordan that begs exception. That being that one of those individuals was the single finest player in the history of his sport, the other being one that put up decent numbers that have since been surpassed by an even better player.

 

Michael Jordan, Carlton Fisk and Minnie Minoso would all like a word with you.

 

Awesome, can this be arranged?

[Cubfanintheknow]

One need only look to the foul pole to remember Mr. Banks. If you feel a giant bronze statue is needed to remember the players place in the franchise lore, then the player doesnt deserve the reverence.

 

I've had the distinct pleasure of meeting Ernie Banks in person and talking to him about our beloved Chicago Cubs. It would be easy--REAL easy--for players such as himself to wash his hands of this entire organization given it's track record of winning championships (or lack thereof). When baseball fans think about former Cubs, his is likely one of the first names to come to mind. Would you want to be that guy who's forever tied to 98 years of futility? Yet his optimism is so incredibly contagious it's almost unbelievable.

 

He hit 512 home runs during an era when pitchers ruled the game. He was an all-star at two positions. He was the first, genuine power-hitting shortstop the game had seen.

 

If there's anyone more deserving of a statue at any ballpark anywhere, please tell us who.

 

Congratulations, Mr. Banks!

[killthegoat06]

Ernie deserves it.

[jersey cubs fan]

Hmm, don't get me wrong, I'm all for honoring Ernie Banks as the next guy, but uh, to make a statue of someone who's still alive seems kind of... odd.

 

Like the Michael Jordan statue?

 

Hmm, I think there is a distinct difference between Banks and Jordan that begs exception. That being that one of those individuals was the single finest player in the history of his sport, the other being one that put up decent numbers that have since been surpassed by an even better player.

 

 

 

So. You said it would be weird if they built a statute of him while alive. Jordan is just one of many examples of statues built for live people.

Edited May 22, 2007 by jersey cubs fan

[Lukin]

One need only look to the foul pole to remember Mr. Banks. If you feel a giant bronze statue is needed to remember the players place in the franchise lore, then the player doesnt deserve the reverence.

 

I've had the distinct pleasure of meeting Ernie Banks in person and talking to him about our beloved Chicago Cubs. It would be easy--REAL easy--for players such as himself to wash his hands of this entire organization given it's track record of winning championships (or lack thereof). When baseball fans think about former Cubs, his is likely one of the first names to come to mind. Would you want to be that guy who's forever tied to 98 years of futility? Yet his optimism is so incredibly contagious it's almost unbelievable.

 

I got to meet him once to, and our right that the guy is special. I in no way am trying to invalidate him. Im saying that I dont like the statues, Harry included, outside the park.

[Derwood]

so, can we expect a statue of a certain player whom Ernie is #2 behind in several key statistics?

[Soriano12]

so, can we expect a statue of a certain player whom Ernie is #2 behind in several key statistics?

 

If they can find a way to attach a bronze *, I assume so.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

so, can we expect a statue of a certain player whom Ernie is #2 behind in several key statistics?

 

if the key stats you're referring to are machismo and heroism, I'm sure my statue has already been commissioned

[Backtobanks]

One need only look to the foul pole to remember Mr. Banks. If you feel a giant bronze statue is needed to remember the players place in the franchise lore, then the player doesnt deserve the reverence.

 

I've had the distinct pleasure of meeting Ernie Banks in person and talking to him about our beloved Chicago Cubs. It would be easy--REAL easy--for players such as himself to wash his hands of this entire organization given it's track record of winning championships (or lack thereof). When baseball fans think about former Cubs, his is likely one of the first names to come to mind. Would you want to be that guy who's forever tied to 98 years of futility? Yet his optimism is so incredibly contagious it's almost unbelievable.

 

He hit 512 home runs during an era when pitchers ruled the game. He was an all-star at two positions. He was the first, genuine power-hitting shortstop the game had seen.

 

If there's anyone more deserving of a statue at any ballpark anywhere, please tell us who.

 

Congratulations, Mr. Banks!

 

Well said! I realize that most of the posters to sites like this are way too young to remember Ernie and appreciate the kind of player he was. When you've been raised on steroid-enhanced players averaging 45 HRs a year while forgetting about the fans and team loyalty, you just don't get the appeal of Ernie Banks. As you can see by my user name, I've been a fan of the Cubs for 53 years and Ernie was my favorite.