The man known as Mr. Cub is the 73rd inductee into the Baseball Hall of Immortals.
After a brief stint in the Negro Leagues, Ernie Banks joined the Chicago Cubs at the end of the 1953, becoming the first African-American to play for that franchise.
The following year Banks would become the everyday shortstop for the Cubs, playing in every game that season (something he would do a total of 6 times in his career). From 1954 through 1969 Banks would anchor the Cubs in the field and at the plate, first at shortstop then at firstbase.
As a fielder, Banks would lead the league in fielding percentage at both positions, winning a gold glove at shortstop in 1960.
But it was at the plate where Mr. Cub would make his mark. For 17 straight years Banks posted double-digit homerun numbers, exceeding 20 in thirteen seasons. From 1957 through 1960 he hit more than 40 each season, averaging 44 each year.
In 1970, Banks became the 9th player to reach 500 homeruns. He would finish his career with 512 HRs, more than 1,600 RBIs, and just over 1,300 runs scored.
The man who said “let’s play 2” is an Immortal.
For some background on what this is, check out the introduction post here.
