Banks, Ernest (Ernie)

Source:

 Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience, Second Edition

Banks, Ernest (Ernie)

Sex:  Male

Born:  Dallas, Texas, United States
31 January 1931

Activity/Profession:  Baseball Player

1931–
Record-setting African-American professional baseball player.

In 1955 Ernest Banks, known to millions as Ernie Banks, set a record in American professional baseball by hitting five grand-slam home runs in a single season. Among other notable achievements, Banks was the first player in the National League (NL) to be named most valuable player two years in a row (1958–1959). A shortstop and first baseman, Banks played with the Chicago Cubs for his entire nineteen-season career, earning the nickname “Mr. Cub.” He possessed an infectious enthusiasm for the game and was known for his favorite saying: “Let's play two today!”

Banks was born in Dallas, Texas. As a child he excelled in high school baseball, Basketball, and Track and field. He chose to pursue baseball, signing with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League in 1950. After a 1951–1953 stint in the army, Banks finished the 1953 season with the Monarchs and then signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs, making him that team's first black player. Banks became a favorite among Chicago fans when he hit forty-four home runs in 1955—a major-league record for a shortstop. Three years later he broke his own record with forty-seven home runs. From 1957 through 1960 he hit more than forty home runs each year. By the time Banks's career ended in 1971, he had hit 512 homers.

Banks was also among the best defensive baseball players. In 1959 his fielding average set an NL season record for shortstops. He moved to first base in 1962, and seven years later his fielding average led all NL first basemen. Banks published his autobiography, Mr. Cub, after his retirement. He remained popular among fans both for his sportsmanship and for his work with Chicago youth groups. He also worked in several administrative positions with the Chicago Cubs organization. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

See also Baseball in Latin America and the Caribbean; Baseball in the United States; Negro Leagues.

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