RIP ernie, one of the all time greats and a true gentleman.

I played with Mr Banks in the Celebrity Golf tournament in Tahoe about 20 years ago. He didn't fail. As we were teeing up, he smiled and said "let's play two". What a thrill that was. What a joy that day was. My baseball card came to life.

The next day it was Lawrence Taylor. That's a story for another day. Let's just say it was memorable!

“I wanted to finish my career with one team, in one city, one mayor, one park, one owner. I did that,” Banks said then. “The Wrigleys owned the team. We played all of our home games at Wrigley Field during the daytime. So my career was very unique and I am proud of it. I have been involved in the city of Chicago and with Little Leagues all around the city and suburbs. It was a fun and enjoyable time both on the field and off the field. Now I meet a lot of people who used to come out to Wrigley Field when they were kids and they are older now. They still remember those days.”

Banks was born in Dallas on Jan. 31, 1931.