Ernie Banks

Ernest Banks (January 31, 1931 – January 23, 2015), nicknamed "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine," was an American professional baseball player who starred in Major League Baseball as a shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs between 1953 and 1971. He began playing professional baseball in 1950 with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues. After serving two years in the U.S. military, he returned to the Monarchs and began his National League career in September 1953. The following year, Banks was the National League Rookie of the Year runner-up.

Beginning in 1955, Banks was a National League All-Star for 11 seasons, appearing in 13 of the 15 All-Star Games held during those years. He was the Cubs' main attraction in the late 1950s, winning the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1958 and 1959, and earning the Cubs' first Gold Glove in 1960. In 1962, Banks became the Cubs' regular first baseman.

Banks was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977 in his first year of eligibility, and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999.