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Let me tell you about a fella named Ernie Banks, who was no ordinary ballplayer, no sir. You see, Ernie took to that shortstop position for the Chicago Cubs like a cat takes to cream. And when I say he shined, I mean he lit up the whole town. This guy? He was making plays like nobody’s business, and the way he swung that bat? Well, it’d make even a statue want to get up and cheer. They still talk about that '55 season when he whacked 44 home runs, and let me tell you, back in those days, shortstops weren’t exactly known for swinging like Babe Ruth.
By the time ’59 rolled around, Banks had two MVPs to his name, and he wasn’t even done. Now, you gotta understand something: the Cubs were struggling a bit back then, but as Jimmy Dykes once said, "Without Ernie, the Cubs might as well be playing in Albuquerque." So yeah, he was that kind of guy.
But by 1960, the brass were starting to think, "Hey, maybe we oughta figure out how to keep this fella around a little longer." You know, preserve the goods, so to speak. Ernie, turning 30 and all, wasn’t exactly a spring chicken anymore, even if he still played like one. So on May 23, 1961, they shuffled him out to left field for the first time. Yeah, that’s right, ol’ Ernie in the outfield. Strange sight, maybe, but Ernie could handle it. Heck, the man could’ve played blindfolded and still been better than half the league.
That season, he bounced between left, shortstop, and first base, knocking out 29 dingers and driving in 80 runs like it was nothing. But for the first time since anyone could remember, the MVP voters didn’t give him so much as a wink. Was it the position shuffle? Maybe. But Ernie, well, he took it in stride.
Come 1962, they moved him to first base for good, and that’s where he stayed. Never set foot at short again, not in a game, anyhow. But no matter where he stood on the field, he was always Mr. Cub, and that’s the gospel truth.
Offered is an original TYPE I photograph of Ernie Banks against the backdrop of Wrigley Field’s Ivy covered wall that measures 8x10 inches in size. Original paper caption on the back from this historic game vs the Phillies. Taken by Chicago Tribune photographer, Edward Feeney.
Classic shot of the most popular Cub in Chicago History!
Item: 13654
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