What is Ernie Banks birthday?

Ernie Banks was born at 1931-01-31

When was Ernie Banks died?

Ernie Banks was died at 2015-01-23

What is Ernie Banks nationalities?

Ernie Banks's nationalities is American

What is Ernie Banks nick names?

Ernie Banks's nickNames is Mr. Cub, Mr Sunshine

Who is Ernie Banks spouses?

Ernie Banks's spouses is Liz Ellzey (m. 1997), Eloyce Johnson (m. 1959–1982), Marjorie Banks (m. 1984–1997), Mollye Ector (m. 1953–1959)

Who is Ernie Banks childrens?

Ernie Banks's childrens is Alyna Olivia Banks, Jan Banks, Jerry Banks, Joey Banks

How famous is Ernie Banks?

Ernie Banks is famouse as Baseball Player

Ernie Banks - African American Men, Family and Childhood

Home › American › Ernie BanksJanuary 31, 1931402 views

Ernie Banks Biography Stories Embed this Biography stories

Table of contents

Personal Details
Photo
Overview
Timeline
FAQ

Texas African American Baseball Players African Americans American Sportspersons Baseball Players Aquarius Celebrities

Ernie Banks's Personal Details

Ernie Banks was an American professional baseball player who was one of the powerful players of the Chicago Cubs.

Information	Detail
Birthday	January 31, 1931
Died on	January 23, 2015
Nationality	American
Famous	African American Baseball Players, African Americans, Sportspersons, Baseball Players, African American Men
City/State	Texas
Nick names	Mr. Cub, Mr Sunshine
Spouses	Liz Ellzey (m. 1997), Eloyce Johnson (m. 1959–1982), Marjorie Banks (m. 1984–1997), Mollye Ector (m. 1953–1959)
Known as	Ernest Banks
Childrens	Alyna Olivia Banks, Jan Banks, Jerry Banks, Joey Banks
Birth Place	Dallas
Gender	Male
Net Worth	$4 million
Sun Sign	Aquarius
Born in	Dallas
Famous as	Baseball Player
Died at Age	83

// Famous African American Men

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg is an American rapper and actor who emerged as one of the best-known figures in gangsta rap during the 1990s. This biography of Snoop Dogg provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Sugar Ray Leonard

Sugar Ray Leonard, is a legendary boxer, who won world titles in five different weight classes. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, works, achievements and timeline.

Spike Lee

Spike Lee is an Emmy Award winning film director and actor known for his films that deal with controversial subjects like racism and politics. This biography of Spike Lee provides detailed information about his life, achievements, works & timeline.

Who is Ernie Banks?

Ernie Banks was one of the most admired black professional baseball players in the history of American baseball. Popularly known as Mr Cub or Mr Sunshine, he spent his entire playing career as a member of the Chicago Cubs. He was a Major League Baseball (MLB) shortstop and first baseman for 19 seasons - 1953 through 1971. Having been blessed with a knack for sports, he started playing baseball at a young age. Initially, he played for Kansas City Monarchs. His first professional debut as a major league player was in 1955. In his more than two decades of career, his career record stood at 512 home runs of which 277 home runs came as a shortstop. He led the NL in putouts five times and was the NL leader in fielding percentage as shortstop three times and once as first baseman. He was inducted in the national Baseball Hall of Fame and was bestowed the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.

// Famous African Americans

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American musician, singer and songwriter, considered to be one of the most creative musical performers of the 20th century. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali was a legendary boxer who became the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, boxing career, achievements & timeline.

Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks was a woman whose cancer cells were used as the source of HeLa cell line. Check out this biography to know about her life and legacy.Famous as: Source of HeLa cell line

Childhood & Early Life

Ernie Banks was second child of the twelve children born to Eddie and Essie Banks in Dallas, Texas. His father was a construction worker and a warehouse loader. He even played baseball for black semi-pro-team.

Banks was athletic as a child but loved playing basketball and football more than baseball. He was also an avid swimmer. While his father bribed him to make a career in baseball, his mother wanted him to follow the footstep of his grandfather and become a minister.

Academically, he completed his formal education from Booker T. Washington High School in 1950. While at school, he excelled in basketball, football and track. Since the school did not have baseball team, he played softball for a church

Career

In 1951, he was called for military duties and served the U. S. Army in Germany and Korea. After two years of service, he was relieved off his duties.

He caught the attention of Bill Blair who scouted for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League. He was called to play for the Monarchs which he eventually did, finishing the season with a batting average of .347.

In 1953, he left Monarchs to sign with the Chicago Cubs, where he made a major league debut in Wrigley Field playing ten games. He was one of the few players who played with MLB team without playing minor league.

The following year, he partnered along with Gene Baker and eventually became the first all-black double-play combination in major league history. He ended up with 19 runs and a second spot at the Rookie of the Year voting

Year 1955 was a good one in terms of performance as he totalled 44 home runs, with 117 RBIs batting at an average of .295. He played the first of the 14 All-Star Games. The same year, he set a thirty year record of five single-season grand slam home runs. As for Cubs performance, the team finished with 72:81 win loss record.

His record of playing 424 consecutive games was ended by a hand infection when he had to miss 18 games in 1956. He ended the season with 28 home runs, 85 RBIs, and a .297 batting average. He bettered his performance following year with 43 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a .285 batting average

Year 1960 was an important one in his career calendar as he hit the league-leading 41 home runs, with 117 RBIs, leading the league in games played for the sixth time in seven years.

By 1961, he had yet again made a record of 717 consecutive games, by withdrawing from four games due to knee problems. His position in the team changed from being at the shortstop to a left fielder. Later, he moved on to the first base where he remained indefinitely as per the decision by the College of Coaches.

In 1963, he made a record for putouts by a first baseman, finishing the season with18 home runs, 64 RBIs, and a .227 batting average. The following year, he finished the season with 23 home runs, 95 RBI's, and a .264 batting average.

In 1965, he hit 28 home runs, had 107 RBI's, a .265 batting average, and played in the All-Star Game. The same year in September, he made an important record in his career by hitting his 400th home run.

In 1966, Leo Durocher took over as Chicago Cubs manager. His first season brought about dismissal results for both the team and his personal career as the Cubs finished 59-103.

In 1967, he was named as the player coach. The following year, he finished the season with 32 home runs, 83 RBI's, and a batting average of .246. In 1970, he went on to hit his 500th home run, thus marking yet another milestone in his career.

In December 1971, he officially retired from Chicago Cubs as a player but retained his position of a coach which he continued to serve until 1973. He also took on the role of an instructor in the minor leagues for the next three seasons.

At the time of retirement, his career record stood at 512 home runs of which 277 home runs came as a shortstop. He led the NL in putouts five times and was the NL leader in fielding percentage as shortstop three times and once as first baseman.

After the end of his sporting career, he tried taking up a government office. Later, he started working for Seaway National Bank in the offseason and enrolled in a banking correspondence course. He later worked for an insurance company and for New World Van Lines.

In 1967, he became the first black owner of a U.S. Ford Motor Company dealership. Two years later, he was appointed to the board of directors of the Chicago Transit Authority.

Awards & Achievements

In August 1977, he was inducted into the National baseball hall of Fame.

In 1982, he became the first player to have his number retired by a team, as the Cubs retired his uniform number 14.

Ever since his retirement, he served as a team ambassador. In 1984, he was named an honorary member.

In 1999, he was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. The same year, the Society for American Baseball Research listed him 27th on a list of the 100 greatest baseball players.

In 2013, he was conferred with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Mollye Ector in 1953. The marriage did not last long and the two filed for a divorce after a couple of years.

Following this, he eloped with Eloyce Johnson. The two were blessed with twins - both sons. Four years later, they were blessed with a daughter.

In 1981, he separated from Eloyce as well. Later in 1984, he married Marjorie. Not much is known about their marital life except for the fact that in 1997, he married Liz Ellzey. In 2008, the couple adopted an infant daughter.

Ernie Banks died of a heart attack on January 23, 2015, eight days before his 84th birthday.

Trivia

This Chicago Cubs baseball player became the first player to have his number retired by the team. Only six players until now have shared the status since then.

// Famous Sportspersons

Ted Williams

Ted Williams was an American baseball player. Read this biography to learn more about his profile, childhood, life and timeline.

Jürgen Klopp

Jürgen Klopp is a German football manager, and a former professional football player. Check out this biography to know more about his childhood, family, personal life, etc.

Yao Ming

Yao Ming is a retired Chinese basketball player who played for Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Ernie Banks biography timelines

// 31st Jan 1931
Ernie Banks was second child of the twelve children born to Eddie and Essie Banks in Dallas, Texas. His father was a construction worker and a warehouse loader. He even played baseball for black semi-pro-team.
// 1950
Academically, he completed his formal education from Booker T. Washington High School in 1950. While at school, he excelled in basketball, football and track. Since the school did not have baseball team, he played softball for a church
// 1951
In 1951, he was called for military duties and served the U. S. Army in Germany and Korea. After two years of service, he was relieved off his duties.
// 1953
In 1953, he left Monarchs to sign with the Chicago Cubs, where he made a major league debut in Wrigley Field playing ten games. He was one of the few players who played with MLB team without playing minor league.
// 1953
He married Mollye Ector in 1953. The marriage did not last long and the two filed for a divorce after a couple of years.
// 1954
The following year, he partnered along with Gene Baker and eventually became the first all-black double-play combination in major league history. He ended up with 19 runs and a second spot at the Rookie of the Year voting
// 1955
Year 1955 was a good one in terms of performance as he totalled 44 home runs, with 117 RBIs batting at an average of .295. He played the first of the 14 All-Star Games. The same year, he set a thirty year record of five single-season grand slam home runs. As for Cubs performance, the team finished with 72:81 win loss record.
// 1956
His record of playing 424 consecutive games was ended by a hand infection when he had to miss 18 games in 1956. He ended the season with 28 home runs, 85 RBIs, and a .297 batting average. He bettered his performance following year with 43 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a .285 batting average
// 1959 To 1981
Following this, he eloped with Eloyce Johnson. The two were blessed with twins - both sons. Four years later, they were blessed with a daughter.
// 1960
Year 1960 was an important one in his career calendar as he hit the league-leading 41 home runs, with 117 RBIs, leading the league in games played for the sixth time in seven years.
// 1961
By 1961, he had yet again made a record of 717 consecutive games, by withdrawing from four games due to knee problems. His position in the team changed from being at the shortstop to a left fielder. Later, he moved on to the first base where he remained indefinitely as per the decision by the College of Coaches.
// 1963
In 1963, he made a record for putouts by a first baseman, finishing the season with18 home runs, 64 RBIs, and a .227 batting average. The following year, he finished the season with 23 home runs, 95 RBI's, and a .264 batting average.
// 1965
In 1965, he hit 28 home runs, had 107 RBI's, a .265 batting average, and played in the All-Star Game. The same year in September, he made an important record in his career by hitting his 400th home run.
// 1966
In 1966, Leo Durocher took over as Chicago Cubs manager. His first season brought about dismissal results for both the team and his personal career as the Cubs finished 59-103.
// 1967 To 1970
In 1967, he was named as the player coach. The following year, he finished the season with 32 home runs, 83 RBI's, and a batting average of .246. In 1970, he went on to hit his 500th home run, thus marking yet another milestone in his career.
// 1967
In 1967, he became the first black owner of a U.S. Ford Motor Company dealership. Two years later, he was appointed to the board of directors of the Chicago Transit Authority.
// Dec 1971 To 1973
In December 1971, he officially retired from Chicago Cubs as a player but retained his position of a coach which he continued to serve until 1973. He also took on the role of an instructor in the minor leagues for the next three seasons.
// Aug 1977
In August 1977, he was inducted into the National baseball hall of Fame.
// 1982
In 1982, he became the first player to have his number retired by a team, as the Cubs retired his uniform number 14.
// 1984
Ever since his retirement, he served as a team ambassador. In 1984, he was named an honorary member.
// 1984 To 1997
In 1981, he separated from Eloyce as well. Later in 1984, he married Marjorie. Not much is known about their marital life except for the fact that in 1997, he married Liz Ellzey. In 2008, the couple adopted an infant daughter.
// 1999
In 1999, he was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. The same year, the Society for American Baseball Research listed him 27th on a list of the 100 greatest baseball players.
// 2013
In 2013, he was conferred with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.
// 23rd Jan 2015
Ernie Banks died of a heart attack on January 23, 2015, eight days before his 84th birthday.

// Famous African American Baseball Players

Ernie Banks's FAQ

What is Ernie Banks birthday?
Ernie Banks was born at 1931-01-31
When was Ernie Banks died?
Ernie Banks was died at 2015-01-23
Which age was Ernie Banks died?
Ernie Banks was died at age 83
Where is Ernie Banks's birth place?
Ernie Banks was born in Dallas
What is Ernie Banks nationalities?
Ernie Banks's nationalities is American
What is Ernie Banks nick names?
Ernie Banks's nickNames is Mr. Cub, Mr Sunshine
Who is Ernie Banks spouses?
Ernie Banks's spouses is Liz Ellzey (m. 1997), Eloyce Johnson (m. 1959–1982), Marjorie Banks (m. 1984–1997), Mollye Ector (m. 1953–1959)
Who is Ernie Banks childrens?
Ernie Banks's childrens is Alyna Olivia Banks, Jan Banks, Jerry Banks, Joey Banks
What is Ernie Banks's sun sign?
Ernie Banks is Aquarius
How famous is Ernie Banks?
Ernie Banks is famouse as Baseball Player

Ernie Banks - African American Men, Family and Childhood