Chicago Sports Mount Rushmore: All-time greatest Chicago athletes

Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs (1953-1971)

For me, there were three easy selections for the Chicago Sports Mount Rushmore. Obviously, His Airness and Sweetness, but Mr. Cub Ernie Banks also needs to here. Banks did not receive quite the same support as Jordan and Payton, but his four votes received were enough to get him a spot.

A career .274/.330/.500 hitter, Ernie Banks was an offensive force who was ahead of his time. He hit 512 career home runs, the second-most in the history of the Chicago Cubs franchise. More important than any of his numbers, Banks was the ultimate team player who gave it his all on the field.

Matt Squires helps us explain the selection of Banks:

"19 years with the Cubs, 512 home runs, 11 All-Star appearances. Ernie Banks loved being a Chicago Cub. No one deserves to be on a Chicago Sports Mount Rushmore than him. It’s a shame he never played a playoff game."

A shame indeed.

Banks’ smile was just infectious. I am far too young to have ever seen Banks play, but growing up watching the Cubs, I always felt like he was a major part of my life. He was always around the team and loved the Cubs more than anybody. It truly saddens me that Banks passed away before he could see his beloved Cubs win the World Series. All Cubs were unbelievably excited about the 2016 championship, but it all would have paled in comparison to how Banks would have felt.