More sad news to report from the sports world this Friday evening. Ernie Banks, the legendary shortstop and first baseman for the Cubs, has died according to ABC 7 Chicago. He was 83 and was at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital at the time of his passing.
BREAKING: Cubs legend Ernie Banks, "Mr. Cub," has died.
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) January 24, 2015Banks has a long list of achievements during his 19 seasons in the league—from the 14 All-Star selections to the two NL MVPs (not to mention being named to the All-Century team). He did this while being the first African American to play for the Cubs.
The hall of famer's greatness extended outside of his 1971 retirement. He became the first black Ford Motor Company dealer in America, remained active in bettering the Chicago community through charitable work, and earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. "Mr. Cub" would've been celebrating his 84th birthday next Sunday.
[via ABC 7 Chicago]
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