Ernie Banks: The Life and Career of "Mr. Cub"

by Lew Freedman

Overview

Ernie Banks is perhaps the most popular ballplayer in the history of the Chicago Cubs--a man as famous for his personality and trademark phrases as for his accomplishments on the field. Nicknamed "Mr. Cub," Banks won two National League Most Valuable Player awards and slugged 512 home runs, all while battling discrimination and poverty. His conduct away from the field was so exemplary he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Based on extensive research and personal interviews conducted by the author, this biography details the life of the Texas-born shortstop and first baseman, from his childhood playing softball to his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame to his death in 2015.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476635132
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	05/10/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	201
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Lew Freedman is a long-time, prize-winning journalist for such newspapers as the Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, Anchorage Daily News and Wyoming’s Cody Enterprise. Specializing in sports and the outdoors, he has written more than 100 books. He lives in Columbus, Indiana.
Lew Freedman is a long-time, prize-winning journalist for such newspapers as the Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, Anchorage Daily News and Wyoming's Cody Enterprise. Specializing in sports and the outdoors, he has written more than 100 books. He lives in Columbus, Indiana.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Introduction 3

1 Ernie Banks Day 7

2 Growing Up 10

3 Moving On 18

4 From Kansas City to Chicago 26

5 The Majors 32

6 Race 39

7 Banks and Baker 49

8 1955-1957 57

9 1958-1959: Most Valuable Player 65

10 Ron Santo: A Sidekick 73

11 Coach O'Neil and a Whole Bunch of Other Coaches 80

12 Downs and Ups 88

13 The Strangeness of 1965 96

14 Ernie and Leo 103

15 New Look Cubs 111

16 Ready for a Breakthrough 119

17 1969 127

18 Another Highlight 139

19 Retirement 146

20 A New Life Begins 153

21 A Hall of Famer 160

22 Living to the Fullest 168

23 The End 175

Chapter Notes 181

Bibliography 187

Index 189