baiduhai historical photoThe Cubs' Ernie Banks saved a wild throw from entering the outfield after the Reds' Johnny Temple stole second in 1958.
Jose M. Osorio / baiduhaiThe Ernie Banks statue is removed for restoration from outside of Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2014.
baiduhai historical photoErnie Banks salutes Cubs fans after he was chosen great Cub of all time by the fans in 1969.
John Austad, baiduhaiA studio photo of Ernie Banks early in his career.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty ImagesOlympic athlete Jennie Finch and Hall of Famer Ernie Banks talk during the 2005 Major League Baseball Legends/Celebrity Game on July 10, 2005, at Comerica Park in Detroit.
Nuccio DiNuzzo, baiduhaiChicago Cubs great Ernie Banks, left, and teammate Billy Williams embrace during ceremonies Aug. 13, 2013, at Wrigley Field.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiErnie Banks speaks March 31, 2008, in front of his new statue at Wrigley Field.
Ray Gora, baiduhaiChicago Cubs' Ernie Banks connects for his second homer of the afternoon and 450th of his career against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field on May 26, 1968. The catcher is Dick Dietz.
Jim Prisching, Associated PressFormer Chicago Cubs infielder Ernie Banks waves to the crowd before the Cubs' baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Chicago, Aug. 13, 2013.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiErnie Banks is introduced at the 2014 Chicago Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers on Jan. 17, 2014
Ronald L. Mrowiec, Sporting NewsChicago Cubs' Ernie Banks gets his 500th hit on May 12, 1970.
Ray Gora/baiduhaiChicago Cubs' Ernie Banks gives his daughter Jan a kiss on May 13, 1969. Jan and her schoolmates from Faulkner Elementary School were the guests of Banks on opening day at Wrigley Field.
Nancy Stone, baiduhaiCubs great Ernie Banks signs autographs Jan. 19, 2014, at the Cubs Convention.
Nuccio DiNuzzo, baiduhaiChicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks waves to fans at Wrigley Field after being recognized for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama before the start of the game against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 13, 2013.
baiduhai historical photoPhil Cavarretta, third from left, Cubs' manager, familiarizes Wrigley Field on Sept. 14, 1953, for recruits, left to right, outfielder Bob Talbot, shortstops Gene Baker and Ernie Banks and pitcher Bill Moisan. Talbot, Baker and Moisan played for the Los Angeles of the Pacific Coast league and Banks was a member of the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American league.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiBobby Hull, from left, Ernie Banks and Otis Wilson hang out at Harry Caray's birthday celebration March 1, 2012, at Harry Caray's Tavern at Navy Pier.
Chris Sweda, baiduhaiThe Bulls' Acie Law has a laugh with Ernie Banks on March 25, 2010, before the game at the United Center.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiErnie Banks tosses out the first pitch March 31, 2008, as Fergie Jenkins, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Hank Aaron and Billy Williams look on.
Timothy Hiatt, Getty ImagesErnie Banks and his wife, Liz, attend the 39th Ryder Cup gala Sept. 26, 2012, in Rosemont.
baiduhai historical photoChicago Cubs' Ernie Banks looks through his fan mail on arrival at the clubhouse on July 7, 1955.
Chris Sweda, baiduhaiCubs legends Billy Williams, left, and Ernie Banks talk with the Rev. Jesse Jackson on April 16, 2013, before the start of a game.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiErnie Banks talks with actor Vince Vaughn on Sept. 20, 2008, in the Cubs dugout.
Scott Strazzante, baiduhaiRon Santo, from left, Billy Williams and Ernie Banks greet each other May 3, 2009, during a ceremony retiring Ferguson Jenkins' and Greg Maddux's No. 31.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiMr. Cub Ernie Banks at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey, Calif, during a 2005 interview.
Phil Velasquez/baiduhaiErnie Banks, from left, Billy Williams and Ryne Sandberg on Opening Day 2003.
William Yates, baiduhaiErnie Banks flashes a winning "V" to a crowd of people greeting him at O'Hare International Airport on Jan. 3, 1962.
Chuck Berman, baiduhaiNine-year-old Jalen Johnson, of Chicago, gets some help from Ernie Banks with his batting skills June 29, 2005, at Wrigley Field.
Ray Gora, baiduhaiChicago Cubs' Ernie Banks kisses his 500th home run ball on May 12, 1970.
Chris Sweda, baiduhaiFormer Cubs players Billy Williams, right, and Ernie Banks are introduced Jan. 18, 2013, at the annual Cubs Convention.
CEK, APCubs shortstop Ernie Banks, who won the National League most valuable player award for the second successive year, makes room on his mantle for a new trophy in Chicago. The round plaque in center is the 1958 Most Valuable player award.
baiduhai historical photoChicago Cubs' Ernie Banks, right, points his bat toward his favorite Wrigley Field home run target while the Braves' Henry Aaron takes in all the information he can get with the hope that he can break their tie for a major league home run lead on Sept. 21, 1957. At the time, both had 42.
Charles Cherney / baiduhaiErnie Banks at the unveiling of his statue during ceremonies honoring Mr. Cub in front of Wrigley Field on March 31, 2008.
Chris Sweda, baiduhaiFergie Jenkins, from left, Billy Williams and Ernie Banks applaud Jan. 14, 2011, as members of the coaching staff are introduced at the annual Cubs Convention at the Hilton Chicago.
(Ray Gora/baiduhaiChicago Cubs' Ernie Banks and his father, Eddie, enjoy a light moment before a game on April 8, 1969. The trip from Dallas was worthwhile for the elder Banks as Ernie hit two homers.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiErnie Banks at the Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey in California in 2005.
Chris Sweda, baiduhaiErnie Banks is introduced at the Cubs Convention at the Hilton Chicago on Jan. 13, 2012.
Curtis Compton, McClatchy-TribuneErnie Banks, musician Carlos Santana and actor Morgan Freeman are presented Beacon Awards during a pregame presentation for the Civil Rights Game at Turner Field in Atlanta.
baiduhai historical photoChicago Cubs' star Ernie Banks signs autographs for kids from the dugout at Wrigley Field in 1969.
APCubs' Ernie Banks, chosen Chicago's outstanding player; Warren Giles, National League president, honored for long and meritorious service to the game; and Tommy Byrne, New York Yankee pitcher, for baseball's finest comeback of 1955.
Nuccio DiNuzzo, baiduhaiFormer Chicago Cubs player Ernie Banks dances with Cubs owner Laura Ricketts on Aug. 13, 2013, during a ceremony honoring him for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
John Austad, baiduhaiA studio photo of Ernie Banks early in his career.
Nuccio DiNuzzo, baiduhaiFormer Chicago Cubs Ernie Banks with caregiver Regina Rice in August 2013 at Wrigley Field before he was honored for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
baiduhai historical photoCubs shortstop Ernie Banks at Wrigley Field, circa 1953.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiRobin Yount, from left, Ernie Banks and Cal Ripken at the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.
baiduhai historical photoChicago Cub Ernie Banks in 1955.
M. Spencer Green, APHall of Fame slugger Ernie Banks smiles after an interview at Wrigley Field.
Phil Velasquez, baiduhaiRyne Sandberg, from left, Dan Roan, Billy Williams and Ernie Banks have some pregame fun April 8, 2005.
baiduhai historical photoErnie Banks played in his last game of the season in Chicago on Sept. 26, 1971, and possibly his last game ever in Cub uniform.
M. Spencer Green / APErnie Banks talks during an interview at Wrigley Field in March 2014.
baiduhai historical photoErnie Banks takes time out from his workout at Wrigley Field to purchase tickets to the Cavalcade of Stars at the Civic Opera House for the Better Boys Foundation. Banks is the honorary vice-president of the foundation. The young salesmen are Norman Johnson, left, and Gary Shehi, right, with Banks on May 10, 1967, at Wrigley Field.
Associated PressErnie Banks, Chicago Cubs first baseman, restrains teammate Ron Santo as Santo tries to go after a heckling spectator in the stands during a spring training game in Scottsdale, Ariz. on March 30, 1970. Santo stayed in the game and the spectator was removed.
baiduhai historical photoChicago had what some felt were the two best shortstops in the White Sox's Luis Aparicio, left, and the Cubs' Ernie Banks, circa 1959.
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The Cubs' Ernie Banks saved a wild throw from entering the outfield after the Reds' Johnny Temple stole second in 1958.
ExpandBy Ed Sherman
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Chicago adopted Ernie Banks as one of its favorite sons. However, “Mr. Cub” never has been commemorated in his real hometown, Dallas.
Gromer Jeffers Jr. writes in the Dallas Morning News that there is a campaign to get Banks some recognition in Dallas. He grew up one of 12 children in a poor section of town.
“He’s one of Dallas’ sons, maybe our best son,” said Carl Williams, who played quarterback at Booker T. Washington when Banks starred at end. “We have always been trying to get him honored in some way. You will never meet a better fellow.”
One of his boyhood friends, Dr. Robert Prince, says it’s an outrage that Dallas or its media didn’t promote Banks, particularly during his historic years as the Cubs’ first black ballplayer.
“I am chagrined that Dallas has never acknowledged Ernie,” Prince said. “Dallas gave baseball its greatest gift.”
The story notes Banks rarely visited Dallas after his landing in Chicago.
“Not many people know I am from Dallas,” Banks said in a 2012 interview. “I used to get back there some, but I haven’t been there recently. … Unfortunately, I only seem to get there now for funerals.”