Hey Hey! Ernie Banks Passes

[Dr. Blackheart]

http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/316995/cubs-hall-famer-ernie-banks-dead-83

Mr. Cub passed away today.  A great man in many ways.  Thanks for the lifetime of memories about what is good in life. "Let's play two".

[keefe]

Let's play two!

RIP

[real chili 83]

My all time favorite player.

Got the pleasure of seeing him hit a pinch hit home run in the bottom of the ninth as a kid.

Mr. Cub.

Hey Hey

[Lennys Tap]

My mom grew up in a family of White Sox fans in Whiting Indiana. She married a Sox fan, raised three sons who were Sox fans and had 9 grandchildren who were Sox fans. Nonetheless she remained to her dying day a loyal Cub fan, and Ernie was her favorite player of all time. Makes me smile to remember her cheering as Mr Cub circled the bases to dulcet tones of Jack Brickhouse's "hey hey Ernie". RIP Ernie. This Sox fan salutes you!

[DegenerateDish]

Caddied at St. Charles (IL) Country Club in my teen years. One day Ernie came off the 9th green, told his caddy (younger kid) to go into the clubhouse and demand a free 7up for Ernie Banks, because he was Ernie Banks. One of the most random athlete encounters I've ever had and witnessed. RIP Mr. Cub.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

As someone who didn't have the privilege to see him play in person, it says so much about his character and presence that I am so saddened about his passing.  I was at the Cubs Convention last weekend and a friend commented at his unusual absence and I didn't think much of it at the time.  He deserved to see a championship, as did so many others, but I have no doubt that one is on its way in the near future and that him and Ronnie will be looking on.

RIP Mr. Cub.

[real chili 83]

My mom grew up in a family of White Sox fans in Whiting Indiana. She married a Sox fan, raised three sons who were Sox fans and had 9 grandchildren who were Sox fans. Nonetheless she remained to her dying day a loyal Cub fan, and Ernie was her favorite player of all time. Makes me smile to remember her cheering as Mr Cub circled the bases to dulcet tones of Jack Brickhouse's "hey hey Ernie". RIP Ernie. This Sox fan salutes you!

Your mother was a fine woman.

The rest of you....

[buckchuckler]

Truly a great.  Tip of the cap to you Ernie. 

[Sheriff]

When I was 10 years old, I attended a little league baseball clinic at Fremd High School in Palatine, IL.  Ernie was there giving instructions on how to hit, field, and throw.  During the hitting clinic he selected me as a subject for demonstration.  He asked me to show my batting stance.  Anybody who watched him would note the hands held up at the height of the right shoulder with the chicken wing right elbow.  So I assumed that stance and he responded by saying, "son, you already look like you know how to hit."  I will always remember that but unfortunately the chicken wing sometimes haunts me during my golf swing.

[JWags85]

Driving home from the game, 670 just opened the phone lines for callers to give their stories about Ernie.  It went on from 4 when they started till 630 when I was out of the car and it was still going.  All glowing stories about what a friendly, patient, and special dude he was.  Just incredible.

[LloydsLegs]

Driving home from the game, 670 just opened the phone lines for callers to give their stories about Ernie.  It went on from 4 when they started till 630 when I was out of the car and it was still going.  All glowing stories about what a friendly, patient, and special dude he was.  Just incredible.

Was just in the car and it was still going on.  Almost no stories like Chili's about a memorable day watching him play, but instead about encounters with him in publc.  Some guys in tears.  Touchstone of youth for many.

[mu-rara]

Grew up in MKE area during baseball no man's land (65-70).  Naturally, followed the Cub's on 720 with Vince and Lou. 
 Hey Hey, holy mackerel, no doubt about it, the Cubs are on their way.....c'mon, you are hearing that song in your head right now.

Santo, Kessinger, Beckert, and Banks, the infield 3rd to 1st.

Great memories

Neighbor 2 houses away grew up in Indiana, die hard Cub fan.   I'll remember this forever.  I think I was 9 years old.   Tearing out of her backdoor screaming like her house is on fire   "Ernie hit number 500, he hit 500".....

[MU82]

Brush with greatness:

I bought an old-school wool-and-leather Brooklyn Dodgers jacket on a trip to Vancouver (of all places) and loved wearing it to the ballpark (Wrigley or Comiskey) on cool spring days.

I'm at an April Cubs game a few years back, hanging out near the home dugout. Ernie sees my jacket and offers to buy it right off my back.

I told him, "No way ... I'm not selling Ernie Banks my coat!"

That's all. Nothing super-crazy here. Just a little anecdote.

[RushmoreAcademy]

My Ernie Banks story:
When I was younger we would go to the Cubs conventions at least every other year.  One year we won tickets into some back room with less people and with food.  My dad and I went in and there was nowhere to sit, so we sat at a table with a jacket at it.  5 minutes later, Ernie Banks, escorted by some guys, comes over and we realize it's his table.
We apologize and we are about to leave and Ernie tells us to sit down.  He proceeds to ask me about what position I play and whether I had a girlfriend.  (I was never happy to say I played shortstop, and sadly Ernie could have asked me the girlfriend question for many more years before I could happily answer that.)  He chatted with us for about 10 minutes.  He was without a doubt the nicest athlete I had ever met (even though it's a short list).  I never forgot that day and was sad to hear of his passing.