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Ernie Banks, nicknamed Mr. Cub and Mr. Sunshine, was a professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs between 1953 and 1971. Despite his illustrious career, Banks holds the major league record for most games played without a postseason appearance, playing in 2,528 games without ever making the playoffs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of games played without making the playoffs | 2,528 |
| Nicknames | Mr. Cub, Mr. Sunshine |
| Baseball team | Chicago Cubs |
| Position | Shortstop and first baseman |
| Years active | 1953-1971 |
| Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame | 1977 |
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What You'll Learn
Ernie Banks played 2,528 games without making the playoffs
Ernie Banks, nicknamed "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine", was a Major League Baseball (MLB) player who starred as a shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs between 1953 and 1971. Banks played 2,528 games without ever making the playoffs, which is a major league record.
Banks' career spanned an era when only the league champions made the postseason, which consisted of only the World Series. He played his entire career with the Chicago Cubs, who had a long history of not making the playoffs. In fact, the Cubs had gone 58 years without a World Series appearance by the time Banks retired in 1971.
Banks' popularity and positive attitude contributed to his nicknames and he was known for his catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!", reflecting his love of the game and his wish to play a doubleheader every day. Despite never reaching the postseason, Banks was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977 and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999. He is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
Banks' record of 2,528 games without a postseason appearance is unlikely to be broken due to the expanded playoff format in MLB. While he may not have experienced playoff baseball, Banks' impact on the game and his dedication to the Cubs have left a lasting legacy in the sport.
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Banks played for the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1971
Ernie Banks played for the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1971. He signed with the Cubs in late 1953, making his Major League debut on September 17 at the age of 22. Notably, Banks was the Cubs' first Black player. During his time with the Cubs, Banks became known for his catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!", reflecting his love for the game and his wish to play a doubleheader every day.
Banks' career with the Cubs spanned nearly two decades, and he established himself as one of the greatest players of all time. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977 and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999. Despite his illustrious career, Banks holds the record for the most games played without a postseason appearance, with 2,528 games. This can be attributed to the fact that he played during an era when only the league champions advanced to the postseason, which was limited to the World Series.
During his time with the Cubs, Banks experienced both individual success and team struggles. He was the National League Rookie of the Year runner-up in 1954 and then became a National League (NL) All-Star for 11 consecutive seasons, playing in 13 out of 15 All-Star Games during that period. However, the Cubs were not able to reach the postseason during his tenure. Banks played alongside notable teammates such as Ron Santo, Billy Williams, and Fergie Jenkins, but the team fell short of postseason success.
Despite the lack of playoff appearances, Banks remained loyal to the Cubs and expressed his fondness for the team. In his memoir, he stated that he did not regret signing with the Cubs instead of more successful franchises. Banks' popularity and positive attitude earned him the nicknames "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine." His impact extended beyond the baseball field, as he became one of the first Black owners of a U.S. Ford Motor Company dealership in 1967 and was appointed to the board of directors of the Chicago Transit Authority in 1969.
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He was the Cubs' first Black player
Ernie Banks, nicknamed "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine", was an American professional baseball player who played as a shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs between 1953 and 1971. He was the Cubs' first Black player, signing with the team in late 1953 and making his major league debut on September 17 at the age of 22. Banks played 10 games at Wrigley Field that year and started every game at shortstop for the Cubs in 1954.
Before joining the Cubs, Banks played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro leagues, making his debut in 1950 at the age of 19. He served in the U.S. military for two years before returning to the Monarchs, whose owner Buck O'Neil was known for scouting work that brought countless Black stars to the big leagues. In 1953, the Cubs purchased Banks' contract from the Monarchs for $2,000, making him the first Black player in the franchise's history.
Despite his groundbreaking role, Banks was not known as a vocal advocate for racial equality. During his first game for the Cubs, he received a visit from Jackie Robinson, who advised him to "listen and learn" rather than make waves. Banks' attitude towards race relations was one of colour blindness, as reflected in his quote: "I look at a man as a human being; I don't care about his colour". This approach led some to call him an "Uncle Tom", but Banks remained true to his beliefs, stating that he was "so grateful to be playing baseball for a living" that he did not have time to change the world.
Although Banks never made the playoffs during his 19-year career, playing in a record 2,528 games without a postseason appearance, he was a highly successful and beloved player. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977 and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999. Cubs fans voted him the greatest Cub ever in 1969, and he became the first player in the team's history to have his uniform number retired in 1982. Banks' popularity and positive attitude, exemplified by his catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!", earned him a special place in the hearts of Cubs fans and in the history of the game.
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Nicknamed Mr. Cub and Mr. Sunshine
Ernie Banks, nicknamed "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine", was an American professional baseball player who starred in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs between 1953 and 1971. He was the first African-American player to play for the Cubs and became one of several former Negro League players who joined MLB teams without playing in the minor leagues. Banks is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, his first year of eligibility.
Banks earned the nickname "Mr. Cub" due to his popularity and positive attitude, and his love for the Cubs. He was known for his catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!", expressing his wish to play a doubleheader every day. Banks' positive attitude and talent made him a beloved figure at Wrigley Field, the last outpost of exclusively day baseball. He was also known for his sunny disposition, which earned him the nickname "Mr. Sunshine".
Despite his talent and popularity, Banks holds the major league record for most games played without a postseason appearance, playing in 2,528 games without making the playoffs. Banks, however, did not regret signing with the Cubs, citing his fondness for the team and its owner, Philip K. Wrigley.
In addition to his baseball career, Banks had a diverse range of accomplishments and interests. He served on the board of directors of the Chicago Transit Authority and was the first African-American owner of a U.S. Ford Motor Company dealership, establishing Ernie Banks Ford on Chicago's south side in 1967. Banks was also an ordained minister and established a charity, the Live Above & Beyond Foundation, which assists youth and the elderly with issues such as self-esteem and healthcare.
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Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977
Ernie Banks, nicknamed "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine", was an American professional baseball player who played as a shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs between 1953 and 1971. He is regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Banks was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, in his first year of eligibility. He was the only player elected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America that year.
Banks' career began in 1950 when he played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues. After serving in the U.S. military for two years, he returned to the Monarchs, and in 1953, his contract was sold to the Chicago Cubs. He made his major league debut on September 17, 1953, at age 22, becoming the Cubs' first Black player. Banks started every game at shortstop for the Cubs in 1954, finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and 16th in NL MVP voting. He went on to win the Most Valuable Player Award in 1958 and 1959. From 1955 to 1965, he was a National League (NL) All-Star for 11 seasons, playing in 13 of the 15 All-Star Games held during those years.
Banks is remembered for his positive attitude and catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!", reflecting his love for the game and his wish to play a doubleheader every day. Despite his illustrious career, Banks holds the record for playing the most games without ever making the playoffs—2,528 games. Despite this, he did not regret signing with the Cubs, and his popularity and talent deeply associated him with the team.
At his Hall of Fame induction speech in 1977, Banks reprised his signature line, ending with his famous catchphrase: "We've got the setting – sunshine, fresh air, the team behind us. So let's play two!"
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Frequently asked questions
No, Ernie Banks played 2,528 games and never made the playoffs.
Ernie Banks played his entire career with the Chicago Cubs, who did not make the playoffs during his time with them.
No, Ernie Banks never played in the World Series.
Ernie Banks was a popular baseball player, known for his positive attitude and catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!". He was also the Cubs' first Black player and became one of several former Negro League players who joined MLB teams.
