Cubs Legend Ernie Banks: Top Moments

“Let’s play two!” Those immortal words‍ belong to Ernie Banks, and‌ he meant it every time he⁢ said them.

The legendary Cubs slugger was a two-time MVP, a 14-time All-Star, and hit 512 home runs (most all-time by a Cubs player ⁣until Sammy⁢ Sosa hit 545 ⁢from 1992-2004) over ⁤a 19-year major League career ⁤from 1953-71. Beloved by ⁤Cubs fans‍ – his⁤ nickname was “Mr. Cub” – Banks​ had many⁣ memorable moments throughout ⁣his illustrious career.

Here’s a‌ look at ​10 ​of⁤ them in chronological order:

1. A historic Major League debut: Sept. ⁣17,1953

Banks appeared⁢ in​ 2,528 games ​- all for the Cubs – during his career,and he loved to play.From Aug. 28, 1956-June 22, 1961, ‍he didn’t take a single day off, ‍playing in⁣ 717 consecutive games. That’s the 15th-longest streak in Major League history. But the ⁤first of those games came⁣ on Sept. 17, 1953, when⁤ Banks started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored against ‍the Phillies at Wrigley Field. ​On⁢ that day, he became the first African American player in Cubs history.

2. First All-Star selection amid breakout ⁢season: 1955

Banks had a breakout campaign in 1955, belting 44 ‍home runs – including five grand slams (a record until Don Mattingly hit eight in 1987) – with ‍117 RBIs and a .941 OPS ⁣for the North Siders, earning his‍ first All-Star selection. He also ⁢finished third in National League MVP Award ‍voting.

3. First MVP season: 1958

In his best season to that point, Banks launched an MLB-leading 47 home runs ​in 1958, most by a⁢ shortstop in a single season until that ⁤mark was eclipsed by Alex Rodriguez in 2001. Banks also led the Majors with 129 RBIs and 379 total bases, and led the NL by slugging .614. It all led to the first of ⁤two consecutive NL MVP ⁣Awards.

4. Second straight MVP season: 1959

The ‍following year, Banks hit 45 homers with a ⁢career-high 143 RBIs. He was ​brilliant defensively at short⁢ as well.