Saturday, January 31, 2015

Ernie Banks' Early Baseball Career: A Route 66 Connectin

From the Jan. 25, 2015, Chicago Tribune "The Greatest Cub."  Part of a two-page front section spread.

"'When I started to play baseball, I just had the natural quick hands,' Banks said.  'That was my extra advantage, my slight edge over everybody else.  ...I could wait until the last minute minute and hit the ball.'

"Banks' patented stance, that hypnotic wriggling of his fingers on the handle of his bat, one day would be emulated by legions of kids.  Those quick hands made Banks stand out among his peers, and at age of 17, with the help of former Negro leagues pitcher Bill Blair, he became part of a touring team based in Amarillo, Texas.  (Of course, Amarillo is on Route 66 and, playing in the National League his whole career, he would have played many games in St. Louis and Los Angeles, also on 66.)

"By 1950 Banks was playing professionally, albeit for $300 per month, for the Kansas City Monarchs, a Negro League team managed by Buck O'Neil.  After a couple of years in the Army, he returned to the Monarchs in 1953 and began making a name for himself.

Snapping That Bat.  --Cooter

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