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Ernie Banks Died

Mark Priors Calves

By Mark Priors Calves,
in Chicago Cubs Talk

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kujay Iowa Cubs

kujay

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
This is undoubtedly terrible news. However, I can't help but feel that Ernie wouldn't want people sitting around moping. He always brought so much joy into people's lives, that I can't think of any better way to commemorate him than by thinking about all the times he made me smile. If I could live just one day as happily as he lived every day, I think I'd have a whole new outlook on life.

 

Very well said. RIP Ernie, wherever you are, I hope you're playing two every day.

Guest

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Press Release:

 

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs tonight are saddened to announce that Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, the greatest Cub in franchise history, has passed away at the age of 83.

 

“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,” said Tom Ricketts, Chairman of the Cubs. “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.”

 

Inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1977, Ernie played the game he loved as a lifelong Cub for 19 seasons from when he made his debut with the club in 1953 until his retirement in 1971. He was a 14-time All-Star and back-to-back National League Most Valuable Player in 1958 and 1959, when he hit 47 home runs with 129 RBI in 1958 and followed up with 45 home runs and 143 RBI in 1959.

 

Banks hit 512 home runs in his career, surpassing the 40-home run mark five times in his career, and his 277 home runs as a shortstop remain a National League record to this day.

 

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).

 

Starting while still as a player in 1967, Ernie turned his eye to coaching and served in that role through 1973, becoming the first African American to manage a major league team on May 8, 1973 when he took over for the ejected Whitey Lockman.

 

Banks became the first player in franchise history to have his number retired in 1982, as his flag flies from the left-field foul pole to this day. He was also voted to Major League Baseball’s All-Century Team and honored on the field at the All-Star Game in Fenway Park in 1999.

 

Beyond his statistics on the field, Banks was famous for his endearing charm and his remarkable wit. He became the first player in franchise history to be honored with a statue at Wrigley Field when he helped with the unveiling at Clark and Addison on March 31, 2008. His statue is adorned with his famous line, “Let’s Play Two”.

 

In 2013, Banks was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an award given to those who have made an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

davell Chicago Cubs

davell

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
The Cubs will thrive in 20-1-5

 

[expletive] this sucks. This seems pretty unexpected. Was he at Cubs Convention last week?

 

I thought I read he was not there.

 

Dayn Perry suggested Ernie Banks Day every year on his ML debut for the Cubs to play 2. Agree wholeheartedly.

davell Chicago Cubs

davell

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
This is undoubtedly terrible news. However, I can't help but feel that Ernie wouldn't want people sitting around moping. He always brought so much joy into people's lives, that I can't think of any better way to commemorate him than by thinking about all the times he made me smile. If I could live just one day as happily as he lived every day, I think I'd have a whole new outlook on life.

 

Very well said. RIP Ernie, wherever you are, I hope you're playing two every day.

 

@OldHossRadbourn: This new guy wants me to throw both ends of a double-header. I like him.

Cubfanintheknow First Round Pick

Cubfanintheknow

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
[expletive], what a major bummer. I know he wasn't young, but part of me really felt like he'd be there when it finally happened. Depressing.
His enthusiasm and optimism for all things Cub made you forget how old he was.

 

What a great man. He will be missed.

UMFan83 GOAT

UMFan83

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
The Cubs will thrive in 20-1-5

 

[expletive] this sucks. This seems pretty unexpected. Was he at Cubs Convention last week?

 

I thought I read he was not there.

 

Dayn Perry suggested Ernie Banks Day every year on his ML debut for the Cubs to play 2. Agree wholeheartedly.

 

I saw that. Unfortunately his MLB debut was on September 17. Not sure I want a contending Cubs team to be playing a DH on the second to last week of the season.

 

How about 5/12 for his 512 career HRs?

davell Chicago Cubs

davell

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
The Cubs will thrive in 20-1-5

 

[expletive] this sucks. This seems pretty unexpected. Was he at Cubs Convention last week?

 

I thought I read he was not there.

 

Dayn Perry suggested Ernie Banks Day every year on his ML debut for the Cubs to play 2. Agree wholeheartedly.

 

I saw that. Unfortunately his MLB debut was on September 17. Not sure I want a contending Cubs team to be playing a DH on the second to last week of the season.

 

How about 5/12 for his 512 career HRs?

 

Yeah, that date would work better. Love the general idea, hope they do it.

Sammy Sofa GOAT

Sammy Sofa

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
It's corny, but I'm moving in two days and I'm really wishing the Staring Lineup figure of Ernie I've had for a good 25 years wasn't buried in a box somewhere.
UMFan83 GOAT

UMFan83

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Looking around online, it's cool how the response seems to pretty much universally be one of love and respect and sadness.

 

How could it not be? I've never heard someone say a bad word about Ernie Banks. He is loved in Chicago but admired everywhere.

XZero771679666304 Knoxville Smokies

XZero771679666304

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Looking around online, it's cool how the response seems to pretty much universally be one of love and respect and sadness.

 

I think anyone who was really familiar with him knows that there was no reason feel anything negative about him. If you didn't like Ernie Banks, you'd have to be a cold son of a bitch.

 

For whatever reason, I find this far more upsetting than Santo's passing, even though Ernie at least got to experience his induction into the HoF.

Gmoney08 Draft Eligible

Gmoney08

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

 

#BREAKING - Ernie "Mr. Cub" Banks family tells CNN he did *not* die of natural causes. Press conference on Sunday

 

 

 

Does this just mean it could be cancer, life threatening disease? Or, does this indicate foul play?

UMFan83 GOAT

UMFan83

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted (edited)

 

#BREAKING - Ernie "Mr. Cub" Banks family tells CNN he did *not* die of natural causes. Press conference on Sunday

 

 

 

Does this just mean it could be cancer, life threatening disease? Or, does this indicate foul play?

 

#CNN: #erniebanks passes away-- his family attorney tells me "He did not die of natural causes. His death was not expected"

 

Not expected? Wtf. Please don't get weird.

 

He wasn't at Cubs Convention this weekend which to everyone who can remember was apparently the first one he's missed in forever. So he had to have been sick. Perhaps he was sick and it unexpectedly escalated and caused him to pass

Edited by UMFan83
Sammy Sofa GOAT

Sammy Sofa

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

#BREAKING - Ernie "Mr. Cub" Banks family tells CNN he did *not* die of natural causes. Press conference on Sunday

 

 

 

Does this just mean it could be cancer, life threatening disease? Or, does this indicate foul play?

 

The first two would be "natural causes."

 

Is this showing up anywhere besides Twitter? I hope it's not actual news.

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