Ernie Banks
As a boy, Ernie Banks' father had to pay his son a nickel to play catch with him. Later that would seem ridiculous, as Banks became a symbol of baseball enthusiasm. He often expressed his great joy at getting paid to play the game he loved so much. He was the most popular player in Chicago Cubs history. The National League Most Valuable Player in 1958 and 1959 while playing shortstop, Banks was known for his jovial manner off the field. A Hall of Famer, Banks was switched to first base in mid-career. He retired with virtually all of the slugging records for Cubs batters, and finished with 512 home runs.
Played For
Chicago Cubs (1953-1971)
All-Time Rankings
Ernie Banks ranks #7 among the Top 50 all-time at 1B. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1959
Banks was brilliant in 1958, perhaps his best season ever, as he established career highs in at bats, hits (193), triples, homers (47), runs (119), batting average (.313) and slugging percentage (.614). Banks topped the league in four departments that year (at bats, home runs, slugging percentage and RBI). He even led the league in assists by a shortstop with 519. Quite a feat for a man who also collected 379 total bases. Banks came back in '59 with another superb season. His 143 RBI again led the Senior Circuit, and he batted .304 with 45 home runs... Banks had three very similar seasons offensively in 1957, 1958, and 1959. But the latter year was arguably his finest. He led the NL in RBI with 143, slugging 43 home runs - an unheard of total for a shortstop. Playing in every game, he led all shortstops with a .985 fielding average. Banks batted .304 with a .596 slugging percentage and 97 runs scored. His OPS was .973 as he won his second straight MVP award.
Factoids
In November of 2004, chicagocubs.com asked Cubs fans to name the greatest hitter in team history. Banks finished first, with 44% of the vote, followed by Sammy Sosa (19%), Ryne Sandberg (17%), Billy Williams (13%), Ron Santo (4%), and Cap Anson (3%).
Actor Bill Murray grew up idolizing Banks. Murray named his son "Homer Banks Murray" in honor of his hero.
Where He Played
Banks had two defensive careers. From 1953-1961, he was a shortstop, winning two MVP Awards and a Gold Glove. From 1962-1971, Banks was a first baseman, where he had good range and a strong arm. He actually played more games at first base (1,259) than shortstop (1,125), but he is considered by historians and the Hall of Fame as a shortstop.
Born
Ernest Banks was born on January 31, 1931, in Dallas, TX.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: CHN
Major League Debut
September 17, 1953
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1953
Al Kaline
Ernie Banks
Junior Gilliam
Roy Face
Don Larsen
Johnny Podres
Bob Buhl
Bobo Holloman
Bill Bruton
Nicknames
Mr. Cub
Uniform Numbers
#14 (1953-1971)
Similar Players
Vern Stephens, Alex Rodriguez
Related Players
Billy Williams
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1977 |
BBWAA |
321 |
83.8% |
|
Post-Season Notes
Banks is possibly the greatest player to have never played in the post-season.
Awards and Honors
1958 NL MVP
1959 NL MVP
1960 NL Gold Glove
Milestones
- June 9, 1957: 100th HR...
- June 14, 1959: 200th HR...
- April 18, 1962: 300th HR...
- September 2, 1965: 400th HR...
- May 12, 1970: 500th HR... Hit it off Pat Jarvis.
Hitting Streaks
15 games (1962)
Transactions
Signed as an amateur free agent by Chicago Cubs (1953); Released by Chicago Cubs (December 1, 1971).
Home Run Facts
Banks set a record in 1955 when he slugged five grand slams, the last one off Lindy McDaniel on September 19. The record setting slam came in McDaniel’s first major league start. Banks five base-clearing blasts broke the record previously shared by Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ralph Kiner, Frank Schulte, Rudy York, Tommy Henrich, Vince DiMaggio, Sid Gordon, Al Rosen and Ray Boone... Banks also broke Vern Stephen’s record for most home runs by a shortstop in a single season. His slugging vaulted him to the top of baseball – from 1955 to 1960 his 248 home runs were more than anyone else in the majors, including Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron... Banks hit 210 homers as a first baseman, and 277 as a shortstop. (Thanks to David Vincent for this data).
All-Star Selections
1955 NL
1956 NL
1957 NL
1958 NL
1959 NL
1960 NL
1961 NL
1962 NL
1965 NL
1967 NL
1969 NL
Replaced
Roy Smalley Sr.
Replaced By
Jim Hickman in 1970, and then Joe Pepitone in 1971, Banks' final season.
Best Strength as a Player
Power
Largest Weakness as a Player
Defensive range at shortstop.
Learn More about Ernie Banks
Search Amazon.com for Books about Ernie Banks ⇒
Search for Ernie Banks at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
