Ernie Banks just can’t help himself. With the Cubs in the playoffs and with a chance to return to the World Series for the first time since 1945, “Mr. Cub” proudly proclaims that 2008 is, finally, the year:
“The Chicago Cubs have stayed the course, the fans have kept the faith and the Cubs will finish the race!” exclaimed the man who coined the phrase “Let’s play two!” That Banks’ team hasn’t won the World Series since 1908 matters little to the most popular player in Cubs history.
“I don’t believe in the curse,” said the gregarious Hall of Famer, who spent all of his 19 big-league seasons playing for the North Siders, clubbing 512 homers and making the National League all-star team 11 times.
Banks, whose retired No. 14 flies from the left-field foul pole at Wrigley Field, now lives in Marina del Rey, Calif., but he’s in Chicago to watch his Cubs play the Dodgers in an NLDS. He took time out to chat with Denver Post baseball writer Patrick Saunders:
Q: Why do you think the Cubs will finally win it all?
A: “This is a wonderful ballclub, with good balance and great leadership under Lou Piniella. They play hard and are really focused. You can see it in their eyes. And they’ve won a lot of games in the late innings. That’s a good sign. They remind me of last year’s Rockies. They play hard all the time and they look like they enjoy playing the game.”
Q: Who are they going to play in the World Series?
A: “I think it will be the Cubs and the Angels. That’s good because I have a lot of friends in the Angels organization. And Mr. (Arturo) Moreno is the first minority owner in baseball, and he’s a wonderful man, so I root for him. He’s so into the game and people — he loves the game. It’s nice to meet an owner who loves the game and not just the money.”
Q: Who is your favorite player on this year’s Cubs team?
A: “Derrek Lee. His father played baseball in Japan, so Derrek was raised over in Japan. So Derrek has the Japanese culture as part of his life. He’s doesn’t talk very much, he’s very quiet, and when he says something, it’s very meaningful. He’s very focused when he plays. Plus, he’s a tremendous first baseman, he can hit for power and he can run the bases.”
Q: Why is Wrigley Field so special?
A: “It’s the Vatican of baseball. There’s nothing like going to the ballpark. I say ‘hi’ to as many fans as I can. It’s a beautiful place, especially for the day games like we always used to play. Chicago loves its Cubs, I can tell you that.”
Q: What does if feel like when people come up to you and call you “Mr. Cub?”
A: “It’s amazing. I’m just honored to be tied into a great city and a great organization. I’ve talked to a lot of athletes, and I don’t think you get that in other sports.”
Q: Last season, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hit 24 homers, breaking the National League rookie record you set in 1954 when you hit 19. What do you think of Tulo?
A: “I called him up and he was so happy and proud to hear from me. I congratulated him on the record and he gave me his number and invited me to come see him. I haven’t yet, but I will. So we kind of have a friendship going. I love the way he plays. He’s so into it, so in love with the game. He looks like he was born on the field and born with a glove. I want to take him to a game and buy him a hot dog.”
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
That’s his hometown
Ernie Banks’ top five favorite things about playing baseball in Chicago for the Cubs:
1. You feel like you are part of a family.
2. Passion. The true fans have a passion for baseball.
3. Day games. When I played, we always played during the day.
4. The fans. If you love the game, the fans in Chicago will see that.
5. Playing at Wrigley Field was special, like a cathedral or the Vatican.
