Trivia

Uniform #14 retired by the Cubs.

He hit his 500th home run on May 12. When he retired, his career home run total was 512.

Played professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1971. Won National League (NL) Most Valuable Player award in 1958 & 1959. Set a Major League record for home runs by a shortstop with 47 in 1958. Named to the MLB All-Century team in October, 1999 as a shortstop. Led NL in home runs in 1958 & 1960, and RBIs in 1958 & 1959. Hit 40 or more home runs four consecutive years (1957-1960) and five times overall. Never appeared in a playoff or World Series. Hit 512 career home runs. Had 100 or more RBIs eight times.

Born at 4:0am-CST

Chicago Cubs Career Games Played Leader(2,528).

Named to 11 National League All Star Teams (1955-1962, 1965, 1967 and 1969).

Became the first slugger to use a light bat after accidentally picking up a bat belonging to a teammate as a rookie. Hit five grand slam home runs in 1955, setting a major league record for grand slams in one season.

Made major league debut on 17 September 1953.

Inducted into the ESPN Chicago Hall of Fame in 2011 (inaugural class) with Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Dick Butkus, and Mike Ditka.

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 by President Barack Obama.

In his memoir "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid", author Bill Bryson said of Banks: "he was the nicest human being I've ever met in my life. It was like being friends with God.".

He was the Cubs' first black player.

He died eight days before his 84th birthday.

Chicago Cubs Career At Bats Leader(9,421).

Chicago Cubs Career Total Bases Leader(4,706).

Finished in top 10 in voting for National League MVP in 1955, 1957 and 1960.

Won 1960 National League Gold Glove Award at Shortstop.

Inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.

Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.