Ernie Banks (born January 31, 1931) is an American
former Major League baseball player who played
from 1953 to 1971. Banks is a member of the
Baseball Hall of Fame. His nickname was "Mr.
Cub".

He was born in Dallas, Texas, signed with the
Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League
in 1950 and broke into the major leagues in 1953
with the Chicago Cubs as their first black player.
Banks played for the Cubs his entire career
starting at shortstop and moving to first base in
1962. Banks, who wore the number 14 as a Cub, is
one of only three Cubs players who have had their
number retired by the organization, along with
Billy Williams (#26) and Ron Santo (#10). Both
were teammates of Banks' in the 1960's and
70's. He is well known for his catch phrase of
"let's play two", expressing his wish to play a
double-header every day out of his pure love for
the game of baseball.

On 22 August 1982 No. 14 became the first player
to have his number retired by the Chicago Cubs.



    * 1 Stats
          o 1.1 Years Led League by Statistical
category
    * 2 See also
    * 3 External link



Stats

    * Height: 6'- 1"
    * Weight: 180 lb
    * Bats: Right
    * Throws: Right
    * Uniform number: 14
    * MLB
          o Batting average: .274
          o Hits: 2,583
          o RBI's: 1,636
          o Homeruns: 512
    * Cubs' all-time leader:
          o Games played (2,528)
          o At-bats (9,421)
          o Total bases (4,706)

    * Major League Single Season Records
          o 5 grand slam home runs in 1955

Years Led League by Statistical category

    * Shortstop Major League Leader:
          o Fielding Average - 1 time
          o Fewest errors - 1 time
    * National League Leader:
          o Games played - 6 times
          o Extra base hits - 4 times
          o Home runs - 2 times
          o RBI's - 2 times
          o Slugging percentage - 1 time
          o Total bases - 1 time
          o At bats - 1 time

Positions 	First Base
(1,259-games)
SS (1125-gms)
3B (69-games)
OF (23-games)
MLB Seasons 	19
Teams 	Ch