Friday, February 17, 2017

a memorial patch for ernie banks

ernie banks, also known as mr. cub, passed away just over two years ago at the age of 83.  he spent his entire major league career with the cubs, hitting 512 home runs as a shortstop and first baseman, and was elected to the national baseball hall of fame in 1977 on the first ballot.

the cubs wore memorial patches with his number 14 on their jerseys throughout the 2015 season in various places.

on their home white pinstripe uniforms, the patch was on the right sleeve, as seen on kris bryant's 2015 topps heritage high numbers rookie performers card
at the all-star game, the patch moved to the chest, as seen on bryant's 2016 topps heritage card
byrant's 2016 topps opening day card shows the patch on the left sleeve of the away blue jerseys
and it was back on the right sleeve on the away grays, including during the 2015 post season as seen on kyle schwarber's 2016 topps opening day heavy hitters insert.
banks debuted for the cubs in 1953, but earlier that year he played for the kansas city monarchs.  the kansas city royals wore memorial patches (and throwback monarch uniforms) in banks' honor on may 17, 2015 during their game with the yankees (who also added the patches to their left sleeves).  the patches featured banks' number 28 that he wore while with the monarchs.  while i have not seen any cards featuring photos from that game, i did find a couple of pictures at getty images.

here's alcides escobar
and here's jacoby ellsbury
aside from being a first ballot hall of famer, banks was also a good, positive person - traits that were rewarded with the presidential medal of freedom in 2013.

4 comments:

  1. A bit of Hey, Hey Holy Mackeral
    https://youtu.be/6oundpU2wPY

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  2. I was unaware of the Royals fitting tribute - very classy move by the organization.

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  3. Wonderful tributes to an incredible man!

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