January 26, 2015
Top News Today In Sports
Ernie Banks, a two-time National League MVP, Hall of Fame legend and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom who spent his entire major league baseball career with the Chicago Cubs, has died. Banks suffered a heart attack and passed away on Friday in Chicago.
Banks, who was born and raised in Dallas, entered Negro league baseball in 1950, playing for the Kansas City Monarchs. He served in the US military for 2 years and returned to the Monarchs before beginning his major league career in September 1953. Banks played his entire professional career with the Chicago Cubs and was honored with a statue of his likeness just outside Wrigley Field.
To honor the life of Ernie Banks, the Cubs and the City of Chicago announced that Banks’ statue will be temporarily moved from Wrigley Field to Chicago’s downtown loop, where it will be on display in Daley Plaza from Wednesday through Saturday.
“It is certainly a sad day for us,” Banks’ wife, Liz Banks said. “I’d like to thank everyone for being here. … He was very beloved and he is going to be dearly missed by family, friends and all of his fans.”
Ernie Banks was 83.
