Prior to opening the 2008 season against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs paid tribute to the legendary Ernie “Mr. Cub” Banks by unveiling a statue of him outside Wrigley Field. A few raindrops couldn’t put a damper on Banks’ enthusiasm Monday.
As he pulled the string to unveil the statue, Banks smiled and asked, “Is that me, is that me.?” The bronze statue, located just north of the main entrance of the ballpark on North Clark Street, shows Banks in his famous batting stance, even to the point of showing him flexing his fingers around the bottom of his Louisville Slugger.
“This is just great,” Banks said. “People will be able to still come and see me even after I’m not here anymore.” Several dignitaries including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Gov. Rod Blagojevich were present. “Ernie Banks is a legend and a inspiration,” Jackson said. “Having a statue of him erected outside the very ballpark he made famous is a lasting tribute to him.”
Also on hand at the unveiling were fellow Baseball Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Billy Williams, former teammate Ron Santo and former White Sox star Minnie Minoso. “I’m proud that I had a chance to play on the field with Ernie Banks,” Aaron said. “I’m proud I got a chance to share in his dream of playing baseball.
“He was a great ambassador for the game of baseball.” Williams, who played on the Cubs with Banks during the 1960s, said Banks was a great teammate and mentor. “Ernie was a trailblazer,” Williams said. “He paved the way for many African Americans.” “When I first came to the Cubs, it was Ernie who befriended me and taught me how to act with class as a Major Leaguer.
“ A two-time National League Most Valuable Player (1958 and 1959) and 14-time all-star, Banks played his entire Major League career,1953-1971, with the Cubs. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. Anative of Dallas Banks gave credit to his parents who raised a family on $10 week. “They were my foundation,” he said.
Banks said he was privileged to have spent this entire major league career in one city during the reign of one mayor (Richard J. Daley) and one owner (P.K. Wrigley). “It’s been a miracle,” Banks said. “It’s a beautiful day, let’s play two,” the Cubs legend and Hall of Famer said.
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