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Ernie Banks Quotes

Ernest Banks , nicknamed "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine", was an American professional baseball player who starred in Major League Baseball as a shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs between 1953 and 1971. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999.

Banks is regarded by some as one of the greatest players of all time. He began playing professional baseball in 1950 with the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro leagues. He served in the U.S. military for two years, played for the Monarchs again, and began his major league career in September 1953. The following year, Banks was the National League Rookie of the Year runner-up. Beginning in 1955, Banks was a National League All-Star for 11 seasons, playing in 13 of the 15 All-Star Games held during those years. Banks was the Cubs' main attraction in the late 1950s, the National League Most Valuable Player in 1958 and 1959, and the Cubs' first Gold Glove winner in 1960.

In 1962, Banks became a regular first baseman for the Cubs. Between 1967 and 1971, he was a player-coach. In 1969, through a Chicago Sun-Times fan poll, Cubs fans voted him the greatest Cub ever. In 1970, Banks hit his 500th career home run at Wrigley Field. He retired from playing in 1971, was a coach for the Cubs in 1972, and in 1982 was the team's first player to have his uniform number retired.

Banks was active in the Chicago community during and after his tenure with the Cubs. He founded a charitable organization, became the first black Ford Motor Company dealer in the United States, and made an unsuccessful bid for a local political office. In 2013, Banks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contribution to sports. Banks lived in the Los Angeles and Chicago areas. Wikipedia  

✵ 31. January 1931 – 23. January 2015
Ernie Banks photo
Ernie Banks: 9   quotes 0   likes

Famous Ernie Banks Quotes

“I like my players to be married and in debt. That's the way you motivate them.”

Ernie Banks

The New York Times (April 11, 1976).

“The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money.”

Ernie Banks

Sporting News (May 12, 1970).

“Did you hear that? I didn't hear anything. Put that question another way.”

Ernie Banks

Sports Illustrated (August 23, 1982).

“It's a great day for a ball game; let's play two!”

Ernie Banks

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum :: Born to Play Ball – Shortstops, George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 2008-12-09 http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/exhibits/2008-born_to_play_ball/shortstops.php,

“You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace.”

Ernie Banks

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum :: Born to Play Ball – Shortstops, George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 2008-12-09 http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/exhibits/2008-born_to_play_ball/shortstops.php,

“Baseball reveals character; golf exposes it”

Ernie Banks

http://www.sportsfeelgoodstories.com/sport-quotes/sports-quotes/golf-quotes/10/21/2011.

“Sandy Koufax. Sandy was a special problem for me because he possessed exceptional control, speed and a great curve ball. He was highly disciplined, extremely committed and a very private person. These qualities enabled him to concentrate on his profession without a lot of unnecessary distractions.”

Ernie Banks

Responding to the question, "Who was the toughest pitcher you faced during your career, and why was he a special problem for you?"; as quoted in "Hall of Famers Name Their Toughest Diamond Foes" by William Guilfoile, in The 1991 National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Yearbook; reprinted in Baseball Digest (August 1992), p. 28

“The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose.”

Ernie Banks

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum :: Born to Play Ball – Shortstops, George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 2008-12-09 http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/exhibits/2008-born_to_play_ball/shortstops.php,
also in Bill Adler, Baseball Wit (New York: Crown, 1986).

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