Ernie Banks
Overview
Ernest "Ernie" Banks nicknamed "Mr. Cub", is a former Major League Baseball
shortstop
and first baseman
. He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the Chicago Cubs (1953–1971). He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.
Banks was a letterman and standout in football, basketball and track at Booker T. Washington High School
in Dallas, Texas, from which he graduated in 1950.
Banks signed with the Kansas City Monarchs
of the Negro American League
in and broke into the Major Leagues in with the Chicago Cubs
as their first black player.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
and first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
. He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the Chicago Cubs (1953–1971). He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.
Banks was a letterman and standout in football, basketball and track at Booker T. Washington High School
Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts is a public secondary school located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, Texas . Booker T. Washington High School enrolls students in grades 9-12 and is the Dallas Independent School District's arts magnet school...
in Dallas, Texas, from which he graduated in 1950.
Banks signed with the Kansas City Monarchs
Kansas City Monarchs
The Kansas City Monarchs were the longest-running franchise in the history of baseball's Negro Leagues. Operating in Kansas City, Missouri and owned by J.L. Wilkinson, they were charter members of the Negro National League from 1920 to 1930. J.L. Wilkinson was the first Caucasian owner at the time...
of the Negro American League
Negro American League
The Negro American League was one of the several Negro leagues which were created during the time organized baseball was segregated. The league was established in 1937, and continued to exist until 1960...
in and broke into the Major Leagues in with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
as their first black player.
Quotations
I like my players to be married and in debt. That's the way you motivate them.
: The New York Times|The New York Times (April 11, 1976)
It's a great day for a ball game; let's play two!
The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose.
The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money.
: Sporting News|Sporting News (May 12, 1970)
You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace.