"Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks Is Dead

Ernie Banks, who starred in the Negro Leagues and in the U.S. military before joining the Chicago Cubs and slugging his way to a Hall of Fame career, died tonight at the age of 83.

Banks earned All-Star honors fourteen times, was back-to-back National League MVP in 1958 and 1959, and was the first African-American player to suit up in the home colors at Wrigley Field. He later became the first player to have his number retired by the Cubs.

Photo credit: AP