PRESIDENT OBAMA AWARDS BASEBALL HALL OF FAMER ERNIE BANKS WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
Ernie Banks, the baseball legend affectionately known as “Mr. Cub,” passed away on Friday, January 23rd, 2015 at the age of 83. On Sunday, Banks’ family announced that the cause of death was heart attack.
“Words cannot express how important Ernie Banks will always be to the Chicago Cubs, the city of Chicago and Major League Baseball,” Ricketts said. “… 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 kindhearted, Ernie Banks is and always will be Mr. Cub.”
The thing is, Banks wasn’t just a great baseball player, but a great champion for his sport and adopted city. The Windy City’s mayor, Rahm Emanuel, called him “one of Chicago’s greatest ambassadors.”
Read full story: ‘Mr. Cub’ Ernie Banks dies at 83
Born in Dallas, Texas, Banks was one of twelve children. The young athlete was convinced to try baseball by his father but did not play in high school since the school had no team. He excelled in a number of sports and played for a semipro team, the Amarillo Colts. He was recruited for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League though there are conflicting reports on exactly who discovered him. His baseball career was interrupted when he was drafted into the US Army. While serving at Fort Bliss he played part-time for the Harlem Globetrotters. After discharge from the military his contract was sold to the Chicago Cubs. He played for the club from 1953-1971.
Despite the fact that the Cubs never reached post-season play during his time with the team, he played in 11 All-Star Games, was twice awarded the National League MVP, and was the National League home run and RBI champion twice. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977 and to baseball’s All-Century Team in 1999. Banks’ jersey, No. 14, was retired in 1982.
After his career was over, Ernie went on to be an ambassador for his former team. In 2013 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
