Biographical Description for the Historymakers® Video Oral History with Ernie Banks

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Biographical Description for The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History with Ernie Banks PERSON Banks, Ernie, 1931- Alternative Names: Ernie Banks; Ernest Banks Life Dates: January 31, 1931-January 23, 2015 Place of Birth: Dallas, Texas, USA Residence: Marina Del Rey, CA Occupations: Baseball Player Biographical Note Baseball player Ernie Banks was born in Dallas, Texas, on January 31, 1931. As legend has it, his father had to bribe young Ernie with nickels and dimes in order to get his son to play catch. An all-around athlete, Banks was a high school star in football, basketball and track. At age seventeen, he signed to play baseball with a Negro barnstorming team. Manager Cool Papa Bell recognized Banks’ talent and signed him to a contract with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Baseball League. City Monarchs of the Negro Baseball League. In 1953, Banks was recruited directly from the Negro League into the majors with the Chicago Cubs. He hit his first home run on September 20, 1953, beginning a long career as one of the Cubs’ most beloved players. From 1955 to 1960, Ernie Banks hit more homers than anyone in the majors, including Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, and he finished his career with five seasons of forty or more home runs. In 1959 he became the first player in National League history to win consecutive Most Valuable Player trophies, a year removed from setting an NL record for homers by a shortstop with forty-seven. After retiring from the major leagues as a career Cub in 1971, Banks became the first Cub to have his uniform number retired. In 1977, Banks was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Cubs fans will always remember him as the ballplayer who said, "What a great day for baseball! Let's play two!" On March 31, 2008, Banks was honored with a permanent statue of his likeness at Wrigley Field. Banks passed away on January 23, 2015 at age 83. Related Entries Chicago Cubs [EMPLOYEEOF] [from ? to ?] Baseball player.

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The eager learners “They loved it,” said New Hope Online were introduced to a Beginnings Learning Center Director few more prominent Detrice Brown. “Field trips like the Students Explore athletes of yesteryear ‘Pride and Passion’ exhibit expose stu- and then discussed the dents to learning experiences that are “New” Pages In contributions of Hank particularly relevant to them. At Aaron, Willie Mays and Hope Online we combine the benefits Baseball History Jackie Robinson to the of online learning and classroom expe- world of baseball, riences so our students get the best of By Ruth Márquez West including their exam- both worlds.” After the ith the World Series around exhibit, the stu- theW corner, local k-8th graders from dents reflected Hope Online at New Beginnings on the images Learning Center recently learned and stories of cial history lessons, the stories of about a chapter in sports often the day and James “Cool Papa” Bell, a legendary unknown to even the most enthusias- what knowl- outfielder who could also steal bases tic fans – the history of African- edge they could at lightning speed, and Rube Foster, American baseball heroes. During a take with them the founder of organized African- field trip to the Aurora History from their field American league play in the 1920’s, Museum for the exhibit, “Pride and trip experience. were highlighted as well. Passion: The African-American Ready to move “I saw the children’s eyes light up Baseball Experience,” students around, they as the mentors and I read to the stu- enjoyed photos and displays that stepped onto dents about these baseball champions made “old time” baseball come alive.
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