tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889333447515035362.post5554452730562076196..comments2024-03-24T03:26:59.588-04:00Comments on Uncle Mike's Musings: A Yankees Blog and More: Ernie Banks, 1931-2015Uncle Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618876073064128027noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2889333447515035362.post-1752287994001383662015-01-25T09:08:33.794-05:002015-01-25T09:08:33.794-05:00I was born in Chicago in 1951. I grew up idolizin...I was born in Chicago in 1951. I grew up idolizing Ernie Banks for his love of the game of baseball. We lived in the suburbs and never got to Wrigley Field to watch a game. We saw all of our games on WGN.<br /><br />We moved to Phoenix in late 1960. The Cubs had Spring Training in Mesa. So, in the spring of 1961, my father took us to a game against the Milwaukee Braves. Ernie hit the longest home run ever hit at Rendezvous Park (at that time). Later in the game, Hank Aaron hit one even further. Ernie's record didn't last long. Later in the game, Ernie was in the batting cage. At that time, the batting cages were accessible to the public. We watched him hit and I can remember the crack of the bat when he hit one. When he came out, my father asked him if he would pose for a picture with my brother, sister and me. Ernie put his arms around us and we all were grinning.<br /><br />Ten years later, I took that picture to another Cubs Spring Training game to get Ernie to autograph it. In the background of the picture were just fans milling around. No indication of who the Cubs had played that day. When I handed the picture to Ernie to sign, he looked at it hard and said, "We played the Braves that day and Hank beat my home run record. I guess I'll have to hit one farther today." Ten years and over 1,500 games later, and he still remembered those three smiling children!<br /><br />Ernie was a hell of a man and I will miss him greatly. Rest in peace, Mr. Cub! And, you can now play two with the angels in heaven.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155434930512451577noreply@blogger.com