RIP Ernie Banks...

[Lord Jim]

The guy hit 512 home runs playing for The Chicago Cubs...nobody ever batting behind him...that's real talent...

Mr. Cub' Ernie Banks dies at 83

(CNN)The next time Ernie Banks plays two -- something he enjoyed, feeling one baseball game a day wasn't enough -- it will be in the diamond in the sky.

The former Negro League upstart turned Cubs legend turned favorite son of Chicago died Friday of a heart attack in the Illinois city, family attorney Mark Bogen said.

It was a week shy of his 84th birthday.

A public memorial will be scheduled, Bogen said.

Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts described Banks as "one of the greatest players of all time."

"Words cannot express how important Ernie Banks will always be to the Chicago Cubs, the city of Chicago and Major League Baseball," Ricketts said. "... He was a pioneer in the major leagues. And more importantly, he was the warmest and most sincere person I've ever known."

"Approachable, ever optimistic [he played for The Cubs, how could he not be?]and kindhearted, Ernie Banks is and always will be Mr. Cub."

Farewell to 'Mr. Cub' Ernie Banks, an elegant ambassador and all-time great...

[wesw]

let s play two....

[oldr_n_wsr]

RIP Ernie.

[Econoline]

RIP. Ernie was a class act, all the way: respected even on the South Side...