04-02-2008, 10:28 AM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 122
|
Ernie Banks Statue!
Chicago Defender
Quote:
Prior to opening the 2008 season against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs paid tribute to the legendary Ernie “Mr. Cub” Banks by unveiling a statue of him outside Wrigley Field. A few raindrops couldn’t put a damper on Banks’ enthusiasm Monday.
As he pulled the string to unveil the statue, Banks smiled and asked, “Is that me, is that me.?” The bronze statue, located just north of the main entrance of the ballpark on North Clark Street, shows Banks in his famous batting stance, even to the point of showing him flexing his fingers around the bottom of his Louisville Slugger.
“This is just great,” Banks said. “People will be able to still come and see me even after I’m not here anymore.” Several dignitaries including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Gov. Rod Blagojevich were present. “Ernie Banks is a legend and a inspiration,” Jackson said. “Having a statue of him erected outside the very ballpark he made famous is a lasting tribute to him.”
|
Quote:
|
“He was a great ambassador for the game of baseball.” Williams, who played on the Cubs with Banks during the 1960s, said Banks was a great teammate and mentor. “Ernie was a trailblazer,” Williams said. “He paved the way for many African Americans.” “When I first came to the Cubs, it was Ernie who befriended me and taught me how to act with class as a Major Leaguer.
|
__________________
|
|
|
Ernie Banks Statue!
Linear Mode
