Good Night-- MR. CUB!

Good Night: Mr. Cub

A Tribute to Ernie Banks
Let's Play Two!
Don DeForge, VMD 24Jan2015

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." Robert Frost

Ernie Banks 1931-2015

“There’s sunshine, fresh air, and the team’s behind us. Let’s play two.” Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks reprised his signature line at his Hall of Fame induction speech in 1977. His sunny disposition was perfect for the “Friendly Confines” of Wrigley Field, last outpost of exclusively day baseball. Perhaps no player defines his team as thoroughly as “Mr. Cub,” who played with joy and immense talent for the Cubs from 1953-71, though never making a postseason appearance.

A native of Dallas, Texas, 19-year-old Ernie Banks debuted for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues in 1950. After two years in the Army, Banks returned to the Monarchs, who sold his contract to the Chicago Cubs in 1953. His debut on September 17th marked the first appearance of an African-American player for the franchise.

Banks started every game at shortstop for the Cubs in 1954, finishing 2nd in NL Rookie-of The Year voting and 16th in MVP voting. Banks would go on to win Most Valuable Player Awards in 1958 and ’59.

Banks was an excellent defensive player at two positions, shortstop from 1953-61, and first base from 1962-71. At the former position, he led the league in fielding percentage three times, picking up a gold glove in 1960, when he led all NL shortstops in fielding percentage, double plays, games, put-outs, and assists. As a first baseman, he led the league in put-outs five times, assists three times, and double plays and fielding percentage once each, compiling a .994 fielding percentage at the first sack.

It was with the bat that Banks really shone, however, hitting over 40 homers five times and leading the league twice in homers and twice in RBI. He was a three-time .300 hitter who compiled a lifetime batting average of .274, along with 2583 hits, 1305 runs scored, and 1636 runs batted in. On May 12, 1970, he hit the 500th home run of his career, becoming just the ninth player and first shortstop to reach the plateau. He finished with 512.

Banks was a member of 11 NL All-Star teams. In a 1969 Chicago Sun-Times fan poll, he was voted the “Greatest Cub Ever.” He was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1977. Along with Honus Wagner and Cal Ripken, Jr., he was one of three shortstops named to Major League Baseball’s All-Century Team in 1999.

Hall-of-Fame manager Leo Durocher, Banks’ skipper with the Cubs from 1966-71, was famous for asserting that “Nice guys finish last.” But he made an exception for “Mr. Cub:” “Banks is one nice guy who finished first—but he had the talent to go with it.”

"You must try to generate happiness within yourself.
If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace!" Ernie Banks

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." — Ernie Banks

Comments from Don DeForge:

Not only baseball but all of sports lost one of the great ones yesterday 23Jan2015...Ernie Banks.  I hope that parents read this blog to their young children or have their children read the blog independently and then discuss it with them.  

I am tired of cheating in sports!  I am tired about "winning at all cost" in sports.  I am tired of hearing sports commentators on major radio stations saying that if you do not cheat in sports you cannot be the best team.

I am so saturated with reading about those who did or those who did not use performance enhancing drugs in sports.  Deflate-Gate takes up MORE air and print space than ALL of the important issues facing a world of hate crimes and killing of innocents.  

Why does a world spend so much time on finding ways to cheat, steal, and utilize non-sportsmanship behavior just to have a greater advantage to win?  

Why are coaches teaching this to youth players, high school players, and college players in all sports? Professional leagues lose their credibility each passing year. Commissioners become pawns of television contracts and corporate advertisers as corruption and cover-up become common place.  

Is Ernie Bank and enigma? Can there ever be another Ernie Banks?  As he watches over us from his celestial dugout Ernie Banks does not want to be labeled a hero but wants young people to see what he saw in the game he loved and translate it into happiness in their lives.  He played the game hard and never won a championship or World Series.  He played the game right without seeking advantages from drugs.  He didn't need to lie or cheat because he had the energy, enthusiasm, and the love of the sport of baseball within his soul.

Ernie would say: "There's sunshine, fresh air, and the team's behind us, let's play two."  One game was never enough.  Ernie's amphetamine was the ball park; the fans; and the sun shining on Wrigley. He would play a double header because it made him happy and he could give something back to the fans and the young people who came out for his autograph and watch the Cubs play. Ernie "played two" because it not only made him happy but it was his way of giving back to a sport that allowed him that great happiness.  

Special Tributes to Ernie Banks:

Members of the Chicago Cubs community have sent their respect and condolences to Banks, who’s number 14 was the first number retired and sent up to the rafters at Wrigley Field.

“He was one of the greatest players of all time,” said Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts to the Tribune.

“He was one of Chicago’s greatest ambassadors,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “He loved this city as much as he loved — and lived for — the game of baseball.”

“Ernie Banks was a trail blazer who helped break down barriers, a veteran who served his country with honor, a respected community leader and the greatest Chicago Cub of all time,” said Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner in a statement.

In 2013, President Barack Obama awarded Banks the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which gave Banks a thrill. Banks said afterwards that it was “almost like the Nobel Peace Prize” for him.

Despite playing in many tough years with the Cubs who never made the playoffs with Banks on the team, he always kept a positive attitude and truly loved the game of baseball. So much so that his famous mantra was “let’s play two!” due to his willingness to play a doubleheader even if the team lost.

Now that’s an attitude the extremely high paid players of today could certainly take note of.

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Don DeForge continues:

Parents:  Bring your kids to the Internet and let them view the tributes to Ernie Banks; find out more about this man; and let them find a true hero that they will wish to emulate as they initiate their sport's careers.  

There is a possibility that one of your children will become the next Ernie Banks.  That is not a dream but it is a possibility....I know there is another sports hero in your family just waiting to be given the foundation that was part of Ernie Bank's early life.  

This is your opportunity to bring the miracle of Ernie Banks to your home and his love of life to your children! 

Robert Frost paints a picture that could be the life story of Ernie Banks....read this to your children and explain its importance in their lives.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." Robert Frost

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Questions about this blog or Tributes to Ernie Banks can be sent

to DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com and will be shared.

Thank you! Dr. Don DeForge 24Jan2015