‘Mr. Cub’ Ernie Banks dead at 83

Chicago Cubs legend and Hall of Fame shortstop Ernie Banks, who was known for his optimistic attitude as well as his baseball skills, has died, according to a family attorney.

Banks was 83 years old.

The announcement of Banks’ death was made Friday evening by Chicago lawyer Mark Bogen, who said he was authorized by Banks’ widow to report the news to the media.

A news conference is planned for Sunday in Chicago.

Banks was known as “Mr. Cub” for his identification with only the major league club he played for during his 19-year major league career. He won the National League MVP Award in consecutive years, 1958 and 1959.

He was named to the All-Star team 12 times and was voted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1977, receiving 83.8 percent of his vote.

But it was his cheerful personality and his love of the game that made him such a popular player. His catch phrase, “Let’s play two,” reflected his desire to play a doubleheader instead of just one game.

Banks played shortstop most of his career before moving over to first base in his later years in the league. He hit .274 with 512 homers, 1,636 RBIs and 2,583 hits during his career.

Despite his brilliance, Banks never played in the postseason. He nearly got there in 1969, before the Cubs blew a 9 1/2-game lead they had in mid-August. Chicago lost 17 of its last 25 games to help the Amazing Mets win the division title.

Banks holds the record for the most major league games played (2,528) without a postseason appearance.

Banks retired following the 1971 season but continued to serve as a Cubs coach, instructor and administrator.

Banks was awarded the Presidental Medal of Honor at the White House in 2013.

His number 14 was the first one retired by the Cubs, and the team unveiled a statue of Banks near the corner of Clark and Addison in Chicago in 2008.

Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts released the following statement Friday night:

“Words cannot express how important Ernie Banks will always be to the Chicago Cubs, the city of Chicago and Major League Baseball. He was one of the greatest players of all time. He was a pioneer in the major leagues. And more importantly, he was the warmest and most sincere person I’ve ever known. Approachable, ever optimistic and kind hearted, Ernie Banks is and always will be Mr. Cub. My family and I grieve the loss of such a great and good-hearted man, but we look forward to celebrating Ernie’s life in the days ahead.”