Ernie Banks Career MLB Stats 1953-1971 |
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G |
AB |
H |
AVG |
HR |
RBI |
R |
SB |
2B |
3B |
BB |
SO |
OBP | SLG% |
OPS
|
2,528 |
9,421 |
2,583 |
.274 |
512 |
1,636 |
1,305 |
50 |
407 |
90 |
763 |
1,236 |
.330 |
.500 |
.830
|
Ernest Banks was born on January 31, 1931 in Dallas, TX. He was the son of Essie and Eddie Banks. One of twelve children, the Banks family grew up around the game of baseball as Mr. Banks played in the Negro Leagues . As a result Ernie was introduced to the sport at an early age. His father spent countless days teaching him the fundamentals, even at a cost. However it was worth it in the end as all the payments from the broken windows of Ernie’s batted balls or the times his father paid him to practice amounted to him becoming one of the best players in baseball history.
Banks attended Booker T. Washington High School. Ernie played both basketball and football for the school. Baseball however wasn’t an option as the school didn’t field a team. Ernie would play softball instead. His talent shined playing softball and he was recruited to play for a traveling team called the Detroit Colts. Ernie did this while still attending high school. As a senior, Ernie was seen as a tremendous baseball player and would sign with the Negro Leagues’ Kansas City Monarchs once he finished school. His time with the Monarchs was short as he would spend two years in the Army and in 1953 sign a contract with the Chicago Cubs.
Awards and Achievements |
|
MVP
|
|
Gold Glove
|
1960 |
All-Star Selections |
1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960(2),1961(2), 1962(2), 1965, 1967, 1969
|
Batting Titles |
|
Achievements
|
NL HR Leader
1958, 1960 NL RBI Leader 1958, 1959 |
Ernie Banks MLB Career Stats and Notes
Banks made his MLB Debut on September 17, 1953. Known as ‘Mr. Cub’, Banks spent his entire legendary career with the team from north side Chicago which spanned 19 seasons. Ernie retired after the 1971 season. The 14-time All-Star was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.
Ernie Banks Back-to-Back NL MVP Seasons
Mr. Cub is one of only 32 players to ever win multiple MVP awards in their careers. However, he is just one of 13 to win the prestigious award in back-to-back years. In 1958, Banks hit .313 with 47 HRs and 129 RBI. He followed up that monster season in 1959 with a stat line of .304/45/143 to nab his second straight NL MVP award. He is the only Chicago Cub to do so.