DALLAS PLANS STATUE FOR ‘MR. CUB’ ERNIE BANKS AT HALL OF FAMER’S ALMA MATER

On Oct. 11, 1955, Ernie Banks, then a rising star with the Chicago Cubs, returned to his native Dallas to headline an all-star game between players from Major League Baseball and the Negro leagues

Mr. Banks was born in Dallas on January 31 1931 He was the second of 12 sibling His father Eddie Banks was a warehouse worker who played semi-pro baseball. He graduated from Booker T. Washington high School in 1950.

Mr. Banks signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues in 1950 when he was 19 years old.

Mr. Banks was drafted into the Army in 1951 he served in Germany during the Korean War. He join the Harlem Globetrotters part time while in the Army.

He played for the Cubs from 1953-1971 and he never made a postseason appearance and he was the first black Cub.

Mr. Banks was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977 his first year of eligibility.

The Cubs retired his Number 14 in 1982