Banks, Ernie

Banks, Ernie
in full Ernest Banks

born Jan. 31, 1931, Dallas, Tex., U.S.

American baseball player.

In 1950 Banks was signed by the Kansas City Monarchs, one of the top teams in the Negro leagues. After one season with the Monarchs, Banks spent two years in the U.S. Army. He spent only a short time in the Negro leagues after his discharge from the service, as he was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1953. Banks soon established himself as one of the National League's leading power hitters, his career batting totals were 512 home runs and 1,636 runs batted in, with more than 40 home runs in each of five seasons. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, his first year of eligibility.

* * *

▪ American athlete
byname of  Ernest Banks  
born Jan. 31, 1931, Dallas, Texas, U.S.

      American professional baseball player, regarded as one of the finest power hitters in the history of the game. Banks starred for the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1971. An 11-time All-Star, Banks was named the National League's (NL) Most Valuable Player for two consecutive seasons (1958–59). He hit more than 40 home runs in five different seasons, leading the NL in that category in 1958 and 1960. He also led the league in 1958–59 in runs batted in.

      Banks excelled in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball at his Dallas high school. At age 17 he joined a barnstorming Negro league team at a salary rate of $15 per game. In 1950 legendary Negro league star Cool Papa Bell (Bell, Cool Papa) signed him to the Kansas City Monarchs. Soon after, Banks spent two years in the U.S. Army, after which he returned to the Monarchs. His stay there was short-lived, however, as the major leagues, recently integrated, were eager to take advantage of the wealth of talent in the Negro leagues.

      Signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1953, Banks soon established himself as one of the league's leading power hitters. In addition to his potent bat, he proved to be a skilled defensive player, setting a single-season mark for fielding percentage for a shortstop in 1959. After injuries limited his mobility, Banks moved to first base in 1962.

      Banks was known for his enthusiasm and love of the game, his trademark cry of “let's play two!” reflecting the pure enjoyment he took in baseball. When he retired in 1971, he was the holder of most of the Chicago Cubs' offensive records and had earned the nickname “Mr. Cub” among the team's fans. In his career Banks totaled 512 home runs and 1,636 runs batted in. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977; he was only the eighth player to be elected in his first year of eligibility.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Banks, Ernie — p. ext. Ernest Banks (n. 31 ene. 1931, Dallas, Texas, EE.UU.). Beisbolista estadounidense. En 1950 fue contratado por los Kansas City Monarchs, uno de los mejores equipos de las Ligas Negras. Después de una temporada con los Monarchs, Banks pasó… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Ernie Banks — Shortstop / First baseman Born: January 31, 1931 (1931 01 31) (age 80) …   Wikipedia

  • Banks — Banks, Tierra de * * * (as used in expressions) Banks, Ernie Ernest Banks Banks, isla Banks, península de Banks, Russell Banks, Sir Joseph Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2 conde de Mullis, Kary B(anks) Outer Banks …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Banks — Banks, Ernie (1931 ) a US ↑baseball player who was the first black member of the Chicago Cubs team …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Ernie — /err nee/, n. 1. a male given name, form of Ernest. 2. a female given name, form of Ernestine. * * * (as used in expressions) Banks Ernie Ford Tennessee Ernie Pyle Ernie * * * …   Universalium

  • Ernie Banks — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Ernie Banks Shortstop Batea: derecha Lanza: derecha Debut en Grandes Ligas 17 de septiembre, 1953 con Chicago Cubs Último juego …   Wikipedia Español

  • Ernie Reyes Sr. — Ernie Reyes, Sr. (born February 12, 1947 in Salinas, California) is a martial arts champion and Hall of Famer.BiographyErnie Reyes, Sr. is the son of Filipino migrants. His parents arrived in California in 1929, working with fish and in… …   Wikipedia

  • Banks (surname) — Banks is a surname, and may refer to:* Aidan Banks, bass guitarist * Alvin Banks, Congressional Staffer * Ant Banks, rapper * Antonio Banks, American wrestler * Brad Banks, American football player * Briana Banks, American pornographic actress *… …   Wikipedia

  • Ernie Banks — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Banks. Ernie Banks …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Ernie Wise — Infobox actor bgcolour = silver name = Ernie Wise imagesize = 180px caption = birthname = Ernest Wiseman birthdate = Birth date|1925|11|27|df=yes location = Bramley, Leeds, Yorkshire, England deathdate = death date and age|1999|3|21|1925|11|27|df …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”