Ernie Banks carried Cubs on his back

Ernie Banks carried Cubs on his back

I was 6 years old when the Cubs brought up Ernie Banks to play shortstop. He was the first African-American to play for the Cubs, along with Gene Baker.

It did not matter that he was black and I was white; he quickly became my all-time favorite baseball player and my idol. I always tried to emulate that swing - bat straight in the air, fingers constantly moving on the bat, and using his wrists to power out 512 home runs, without the use of steroids or PEDs. Ernie Banks was the Chicago Cubs.

Ernie Banks was simply one of the best baseball players of all time in an era where baseball, not football, was king. And he was an even better person off the field; always optimistic, always nice, always had time to talk to a fan or sign an autograph. Not arrogant or off putting like most of today's players. There were years in the late '50s where the Cubs finished fifth in an eight-team league, and the only reason they finished fifth instead of last was because of Ernie Banks. He carried the team on his back. Ernie won two straight MVP awards in 1958 and 1959 on a team that was not even in the running to win the pennant - an unheard of statistic.

Sadly, he did not live to see the Cubs play in or win a World Series. But I will bet that right now he is in heaven greeting everyone with that infectious smile and saying "Let's play two today!"

Gary Koca

Pingree Grove