My dad was a sportswriter for The Des Moines Register... Baseball, like everything else, was part of a simpler world in those days, and I was allowed to go with him into the clubhouse and dugout and onto the field before games.... Once on a hot July afternoon I sat in a nearly airless clubhouse under the left-field grandstand at Wrigley Field beside Ernie Banks, the Cubs’ great shortstop, as he autographed boxes of new white baseballs (which are, incidentally, one of the most pleasurably aromatic things on earth, and worth spending time around anyway). Unbidden, I took it upon myself to sit beside him and pass him each new ball. This slowed the process considerably, but he gave a little smile each time and said thank you as if I had done him quite a favor. He was the nicest human being I have ever met. It was like being friends with God.Ernie Banks died yesterday at the age of 83.
January 24, 2015
"He was the nicest human being I have ever met. It was like being friends with God."
Wrote Bill Bryson about Ernie Banks in "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir":
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I grew up near Chicago. The stories about the Ernie Banks suggests to me that "nice" doesn't begin to describe the man.
RIP, Mr. Cub.
Reincarnation would be nice in Ernie's case. "Let's play two."
Another article said that Ernie Banks treated everyone with respect. He never played a post-season game. A person who plays professional sports must be very competitive by nature but he did not let frustration show. Top people in every field keep their thoughts and emotions under control. What a gift that is to everyone around you. I have warm feelings about the Cubs and Wrigley Field from a distance of 1000 miles and 30 years, and Ernie Banks is a big part of that good memory.
Would there be a race issue to talk about if we all just treated everyone with respect?
Would God be that friendly?
I think — from the evidence — we can figure that God is patient.
Banks sounds very much like a man I have been around several times who was from that same generation of black players (and was a Milwaukee star first.) Hank Aaron.
It's said that the best revenge is living well. Banks got his revenge....The only thing you every really own in this life is your body. Banks had the good sense to appreciate his possessions and good luck.
Althouse wrote;
I think — from the evidence — we can figure that God is patient.
he's also been known to be testy and fiery.
Nice testimony. Obviously a great guy.
I grew up as Hank Aaron was putting his mark on baseball history, and as traditionalguy says, Aaron is also known to be a good person. Then there's Jackie Robinson, who my (white) son has chosen as a personal hero.
Baseball really can teach kids about life sometimes.
"he's also been known to be testy and fiery."
When? Thousands of years ago? I thought he got over his rage-o-holism in the Old Testament.
William said... [hush][hide comment]
It's said that the best revenge is living well. Banks got his revenge....The only thing you every really own in this life is your body. Banks had the good sense to appreciate his possessions and good luck.
Revenge for what, or on who?
new white baseballs (which are, incidentally, one of the most pleasurably aromatic things on earth
Will they say the same thing about Tom Brady's balls?
I met him in Mike Ditka's restaurant in Chicago a few years ago, It was his hangout and he was very friendly and a thoroughly nice guy. I used to listen to Cubs game when he was playing shortstop and the second baseman was Gene Baker. I forget the rest.
I think Hank Sauer and Ralph Kiner were on those teams.
"everything else, was part of a simpler world in those days"
I hate this nonsense. It wasn't simpler. The author was simply an ignorant child.
@full moon: There's always grounds for seeking revenge. Life is an endless string of grievances and injustices. You just haven't been paying attention.
How can Ernie Banks even stir up feelings of revenge and suggestions that God is testy?
I don't know all that much about Ernie Banks except that he was a nice guy who enjoyed life and playing the game. One notes, however, that he had to spend part of his career in the Negro Leagues and that most of his career occurred before the Curt Flood settlement and the big bucks. A more dyspeptic personality would find reasons to brood.
Mr. Cub. My hero growing up.
We should all "play two today" in his honor.
"David said...
Reincarnation would be nice in Ernie's case. "Let's play two.""
Yep, perfect!
A generation of Chicago area boys held their bat high and wiggle their fingers to emulate Ernie.
He gets to play two everyday now.
God Bless.
My hero growing up. I always took number 14 if it was available and my batting stance mimicked his.
Not enough like him anymore.
RIP Mr Cub.
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