Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks dead at the age of 83 (Mr. Cub, "Let's play two."

My Fox Chicago ^ | 1/23/2015

[Beave Meister]

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - Chicago legend Ernie Banks, also known as 'Mr. Cub' and 'Mr. Sunshine,' died Friday night, sources say. He was 83.

Banks would have turned 84 on January 31. He was born in 1931 in Dallas, Texas.

Banks was the first African American player to play for the Cubs.

In 1950, he played for the Kansas City Monarchs in Negro League Baseball . He then played shortstop and first base for 19 seasons, from 1953 to 1971.

The entire time Banks played for the Cubs, he was a national league all-star for 11 seasons. He was inducted into the baseball hall of fame in 1977.

Banks also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.

[Beave Meister]

It is a sad day for Die Hard's all over the world. I watched Mr. Cub play many, many times. What a great person, he will be missed.

[Beave Meister]

Alex Rodriguez take note.....

[Steve_Seattle]

RIP

[slumber1]

R.I.P. Mr. Cub

[ScottinVA]

Very sad to hear this.. RIP Mr. Cub...

[onyx]

God bless and keep him.

[ifinnegan]

Ernie Banks is an American legend.

Sad to hear.

[JPG]

Lets play TWO!

[SZonian]

RIP Mr. Banks. Thanks for the fond memories.

[Billthedrill]

The man. Baseball, live up to that. RIP

[Vigilanteman]

Ernie was a class act through and through. He never had a chip on his shoulder even though he suffered though the same era of racism as Hank Aaron who wore it proudly.

The only happy thought I can think about now is the reunion he will enjoy with teammate Ron Santo. The 1969 and 1970 Cubs were better than a lot of teams which actually won World Series.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[Rome2000]

Looked up to this guy, always wanted to go one better and play three.

RIP Ernie Banks

[Beave Meister]

Former MLB pitcher Steve Stone told a story how Ernie always had something positive to say to you no matter the situation. Stone said one time while he was pitching for the Cubs, he wasn’t felling good and just got shelled in a game. When Stone was leaving the ballpark, he ran into Ernie was at the game. And Ernie walked up to him and asked, “How ya feeling?” and Stone said, “I feel terrible.” and Ernie looked at him and said, “Well, you look good.” and patted him on the back.

[smokingfrog]

RIP

[clintonh8r]

A tribute to the game. Great player and apparently a great person as well.

[Rocky]

A great player, a quality person.

[juggernaut]

Chicago loses a true legend and great man. My prayers go out to Mr. Banks’ family and friends.

[GreenLanternCorps]

RIP, and thanks. From all of us who love baseball.

[jazusamo]

RIP Mr. Banks, you were a class act.