No, I never saw him play. I don't own an actual card of his during his playing days (from 1953-1971). But for as long as I've been alive, he was a Cub legend. He was "Mr. Cub."
His statistics were more than enough to get him into Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1977: 2528 Games, .274 average, 512 home runs, 1636 rbi's, .500 slugging percentage, .830 OPS. He appeared in 14 All-Star Games in 11 seasons (remember, they played two ASG's for a time).
His number 14 was the first to be retired by the Cubs.
Between he, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, and Ferguson Jenkins, they were so close to the promised land of the World Series, but then...you know.
But after his playing days, he became one of baseball's great ambassadors. "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!" a quote that's been attributed to him because of his love of the game. He served in the Army and played in the Negro Leagues before signing with the Cubs, becoming the team's first African-American player.
He was one of baseball's great ambassadors. He was truly, one of baseball's greatest players.
My condolences go out to the Banks family, the Cubs organization, Major League Baseball, and the fans. Not just Cubs fans, but all baseball fans. We have lost a legend.
Sincerely,
JayBee Anama
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