Statue to honor Ernie Banks at Wrigley

Lou Cella has been called up again by the Chicago Cubs.

Not to grab a bat, but to do what he does best -- sculpt.

Cella was commissioned to create a statue to honor legendary Cubs player Ernie Banks. The statue will be unveiled Opening Day, March 31, at Wrigley Field.

The Lindenhurst sculptor first worked with the Cubs to create the statue of late broadcaster Harry Caray in 1999. At that time, Cella said, the organization hinted it eventually wanted a similar honor for Mr. Cub.

The project is a dream come true for Cella.

"I grew up a Cubs fan," Cella said. "He was still playing when I went to my first game."

Cella could not reveal details about the statue, which will have a classic bronze finish.

"It looks like he is ready to go out and play two," he said.

Jason Carr, Cubs' assistant director of media relations, said the Caray and Banks statues are part of the effort to respond to the public's call to recognize team legends.

"Something we want to focus on is celebrating our past," Carr said.Banks had an outstanding 19-year playing career exclusively with the Cubs and is still a part of the organization."It really represents what Ernie means to the Cubs," Carr said. "It portrays how special his career was and how influential he's been to the organization even after his playing days."From 1953 to 1971, Banks set franchise records with 2,528 games played and 1,009 extra-base hits. He's second in Cubs history with 2,583 hits, 512 home runs and 1,636 RBI. The 14-time National League All-Star earned N.L. Most Valuable Player award honors in 1958 and 1959 and was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.He was the first Cub to have his number retired by the franchise. The honor was bestowed on his No. 14 on Aug. 22, 1982.Cella began work on the statue last August at the Rotblatt/Amrany Fine Art Studio in Highwood where he works. For family and friends who have seen the statue, Banks' image evokes stories about his character and watching him play."I have never worked on anything that has had the emotional response that this has," he said.Banks is an ambassador who shares a contagious love for Cubs baseball and the game, Cella said. "He is part of Chicago history just as much as Daley and the Sears Tower," he said.Because of that legend, many people at the studio wanted to help with the statue, whether it was adding material or cutting the details. Even friends who are not sculptors got the chance to help, such as creating the 4-inch pinstripes on Banks' jersey."I didn't say no to anyone. Everyone who asked got their chance," he said.The Banks statue, Cella said, "will add to the lure of Wrigley Field." Having worked with both Chicago baseball teams, Cella said he expects to be asked which statue is his favorite --Carlton Fisk of the White Sox, or Cubs legends Caray and Banks."Up to now, the statue I did of Carlton Fisk had absolutely positively been the highlight of my career," Cella said. "Working with the organization, getting to know Fisk and his wife and seeing how the sculpture turned out, I have yet to top that."But growing up a Cubs fan, Cella admits for him and his family, Banks now means everything."This is the way the blood runs in our family," he said. "This is going to be something special." 512392Lindenhurst artist Lou Cella with a copy of his Harry Caray sculpture at the Highwood studio where he works. Cella has been commissioned to create a statue of Ernie Banks that wil stand at Wrigley FieldJoe Lewnard | Staff Photographer