#23 Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks
SS-1B
1953-1971
14x All Star, 2x MVP
Baseball Hall of Fame 1977
The position of shortstop had never been a power position. Guys like Joe Cronin would hit a few out, Vern Stephens had an outlier year, later guys like Rico Petrocelli would have a 40 HR year. Ernie Banks was a shortstop, a gold glove shortstop, and he hit the ball out of the ball park. A lot. A member of the 500 home run club before the PED guys distorted it, Ernie Banks was one of the best players in baseball in the 50s and still into the 60s when he moved to first base.

He won 2 MVP awards  back to back on unremarkable Cubs teams...hell his nickname was Mister Cub. Anytime you're in the first line of a history of a franchise you were pretty darn good. He started his career inthe Negro Leagues and retried in 1971- a stunning run for a stunning talent. 

He's still ranked among the top 40 in Home Runs (23rd with 512), RBI (33rd with 1636) and Extra Base Hits (38th with 1009).

He's one of only 6 players to play 1000 games at 2 positions. He lead the league in homers twice, RBI twice and retired the all time HR leader for shortstops. 

He also owns the dubious record of most career games without a postseason game. If the poor guy had been a Yankee he'd probably be in the top 10. 

Beyond that he was the face of one of the most beloved franchises in professional sport, he was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom 

He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in  1977

Anthony Leonelli is a 37 year old College Basketball Coach and amateur baseball arguer. If you wanna know how this list came together check here criteria. He thinks that George Brett winning batting titles in 3 decades is pretty awesome. 




 

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