"Mr Cub" Ernie Banks dead at 83

"Nobody represented his city or team more joyously, or more admirably, than Mr. Cub did. Ernie Banks died Friday at age 83" says ABC-TV/ESPN's Chicago-born Michael Wilbon

"Life is a song. Sing it. Life is a game. Play it. Life is a challenge. Meet it. Life is a dream. Realize it." Ernie Banks


Longtime Cub broadcaster Harry Caray, Cubs Third Baseman/Cubs Broadcast Analyst Ron Santo welcome Ernie Banks to 'Friendly Confines in the Sky'

Story by ESPN

"Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks, the Hall of Fame slugger and two-time MVP who never lost his boundless enthusiasm for baseball despite years of playing on losing Chicago Cubs teams, died Friday night. He was 83.

The Cubs announced Banks' death but did not provide a cause.

"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," Tom Ricketts, chairman of the Cubs, said in a statement released by the team. "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."

"There's sunshine, fresh air, and the team's behind us," Ernie Banks said during his Hall of Fame induction speech in 1977. "Let's play two!" (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

Banks hit 512 home runs during his 19-year career and was fond of saying, "It's a great day for baseball. Let's play two!'' That finish to his famous catchphrase adorns his statue outside Wrigley Field.

The Cubs paid tribute to Banks on the Wrigley marquee Friday night:

"We are saddened to announce that Hall of Famer Ernie Banks has passed away", followed by a video tribute of his career and what he meant to Chicago, even after he retired from baseball.

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) January 24, 2015

Read More: http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/12219755/ernie-banks-former-chicago-cubs-great-dies-age-83

Related Links:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-ernie-banks-presser-met-20150125-story.html
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=chc
http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2015/01/24/107353558/harry-caray-ron-santo-welcome-ernie-banks-to-friendly-confines-in-the-sky
http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/107433960/chicago-to-host-public-memorial-for-ernie-banks-at-daley-plaza
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/107330268/billy-williams-saddened-by-loss-of-ernie-banks
http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/107338920/phil-rogers-legendary-ernie-banks-in-his-own-words

Ernie Banks on not wanting to leave the Negro Leagues' Monarchs to join the Cubs in 1953: "I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas -- came from a family of 12 [children], second child, first boy. So my life, I came out of a segregated society into an integrated society. When I played, when I was young, came along, there was segregation. The Kansas City Monarchs were all black, and I enjoyed being with them. Eating on the bus -- peanut-butter-and-sardine sandwiches and crackers -- talking to them, learning from them. Many of those players who came out of the Negro Leagues, their parents came out of slavery times. Buck O'Neil's parents came out of slavery time. To be around them and hear about their lives, how they feel about things -- many of them even though they couldn't play in the Majors, didn't want to play in the Majors. They said they were happy here, satisfied with playing here, we like what we do, we like each other. When I was called up to the Cubs, I felt that way. ... Gosh, I don't want to leave these guys. They said, 'You're going to the Cubs. They have Ralph Kiner, Hank Sauer, all those guys playing with them.' My thought was, 'I don't want to play with them, I want to stay with you all.' One guy, Sherwood Brewer, said, 'Ernie you have to go to the Major Leagues.' He said, 'It's the Majors, as high as you can go.' I said, 'I'm already as high as you can go, I'm playing with you guys.' They forced me into taking the flight to Chicago."