We were all very sad last month to learn the news that Ernie Banks had passed away. The sweet persona of Mr. Cub was indeed the genuine article. His public image that exuded kindness and good works was also exactly who he was on the inside.
A few minutes ago, the Chicago Cubs have announced their specific plans to pay tribute to the Hall of Famer during Spring Training, Opening Night at Wrigley Field and throughout the 2015 season.
-The team will wear a commemorative #14 patch on both its home and away jerseys. The Cubs will open their Spring Training schedule by wearing #14 hats during both split squad games on March 5.
-There will be a pregame ceremony for Ernie Banks during the season Opener at Wrigley Field April 5, and each fan attending that night’s game will receive a commemorative pin in honor of the Hall of Famer.
Additional tributes will be finalized and incorporated throughout the 2015 season.
Indeed Banks was a social trail blazer using baseball as his medium. This is a somber weekend for the city of Chicago and Cub fans everywhere. Banks, who was 83 years old, was inducted into Cooperstown in 1977. He’s best known for his catch-phrases “Let’s Play Two” and “The Cubs will shine in ’69.”
The last time I spoke with Ernie Banks was a few months after the passing of fellow Cubs legend Ron Santo. Banks said “The Cubs will win in ’11 cuz Santo’s in heaven.”
Ernie Banks hit 512 home runs in his career, surpassing the 40-home run mark five times in his career, and his 277 home runs as a shortstop remain a National League record to this day.
The man who wore #14 ranks first in games played (2,528), at-bats (9,421), extra-base hits (1,009) and total bases (4,706); second in home runs (512), RBI (1,636) and hits (2,583); third in doubles (407); fifth in runs scored (1,305); seventh in triples (90); and eighth in walks (763)
“There is no level of recognition that can properly acknowledge how much Ernie Banks meant to this franchise and fan base,” said a statement released this afternoon and attributed to Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.
“Collectively, we must ensure Mr. Cub’s legacy rightfully lives on at the Friendly Confines and with future generations of baseball fans.”
Ernie Banks became the first player in Cubs history to have his number retired in 1982, as his flag flies from the left-field foul pole to this day. He was also voted to Major League Baseball’s All-Century Team and honored on the field at the All-Star Game in Fenway Park in 1999. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital, eBay, Google News and CBS Interactive.
You can read Banks’ feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye newspaper and listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone.
Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)