Chus wrote:
Nort wrote:
He was one of the good ones.
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| Mike North writes about Ernie. https://mail.chicagofanatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=156&t=91825 |
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| Author: | jimmypasta [ Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Mike North writes about Ernie. |
I know the guy has been ripped on here but I thought this was a real nice (and surprising) article on Mr.Cub's passing. By Mike North The Rebel Inside Most of us were blindsided by the death of Ernie Banks, and for kids like me who grew up with Ernie, it was especially sad and nostalgic. I probably have the same story as many others, but I will share with you the impact he had on my young life. Ernie started playing for the Cubs in 1953, and was the first African-American player for the club. I was born in '52, so Ernie was there as soon as I started to hear about baseball from my dad and uncles, and his impact on my life grew bigger and bigger as I watched him on WGN. When the bell rang at St. Gertrude's school on the North Side, my buddies and I would gather to talk after school. That is, unless the Cubs were playing, and I tore home to see if Ernie would belt one of out the park. It didn't matter to me if the Cubs were down 6-1. Banks was batting in the 8th inning and I wanted to see him bat. After a long day at school, and I had more than one, Banks could put a smile on my face. When I was facing the wrath of the nuns, I always had Ernie. When my dad was mad at me, I had Ernie. No matter if the Cubs won or lost, we always had Ernie to boost our spirits. Banks stopped playing in 1971, and right about then I was worried about being drafted. He was around throughout my childhood and beyond. Of course, there will never be another Ernie Banks. I played Little League Baseball at Thillens Stadium on the North Side in 1963 and 1964. The biggest night of the summer happened when Banks and my favorite White Sox player, Nellie Fox, made an appearance there. Fox showed us fielding, bunting and hitting. Then Banks stepped into the batter's box and would put on a show as balls flew over left field into the canal at Devon and McCormack. It was the thrill of my life to shake their hands afterward, and little did I know I would cross paths with Ernie many times down the line. He loved life, loved the game, loved people and just could make you feel good. I'm so glad free agency didn't exist back then; he is the perfect argument for staying with one team for an entire career. I got a call last Saturday morning from the Rev. Jesse Jackson. It was 7 a.m. and I was playing racquetball. I couldn't figure out why he was calling me at that time, but then he broke the news to me because I hadn't heard yet. Jesse and I had worked with John McDonough, the former Cubs official who is now president of the Blackhawks, to have a statue erected to honor Ernie. While I had a minor roll in the whole thing, it wasn't minor to me. I got a chance to help do something for someone who brought so much happiness and joy to others. Ernie Banks never played in the postseason, but he was still the ultimate winner. He was 100 percent class, totally approachable and a great man! |
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| Author: | Curious Hair [ Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mike North writes about Ernie. |
How did North correctly use a semicolon but use "roll" for "role"? |
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| Author: | bigfan [ Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mike North writes about Ernie. |
North taking credit for the Ernie statue. lol...yes, Minor credit, but if not for him and Jessie. Jessie and North, thick as thieves!!!! |
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| Author: | jimmypasta [ Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mike North writes about Ernie. |
Curious Hair wrote: How did North correctly use a semicolon but use "roll" for "role"? He had a minor roll. He brought sweets to the meetings,probably "Little Debbies". |
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| Author: | Rod [ Tue Jan 27, 2015 5:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mike North writes about Ernie. |
Another confirmed Sox fan! |
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| Author: | Chus [ Tue Jan 27, 2015 6:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mike North writes about Ernie. |
Nort wrote: He was one of the good ones.
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| Author: | spmack [ Tue Jan 27, 2015 6:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mike North writes about Ernie. |
Chus wrote: Nort wrote: He was one of the good ones.
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| Author: | bigfan [ Tue Jan 27, 2015 6:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mike North writes about Ernie. |
Joe Orr Road Rod wrote: Another confirmed Sox fan! Love all the confirmed Sox fans that spend more time at Wrigley, worked at wrigley and live by Wrigley. All Schuster like rebels. |
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| Author: | walkrman5 [ Wed Jan 28, 2015 7:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mike North writes about Ernie. |
North Sucks! He can't help but try and push his own bullshit agenda! |
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| Author: | Sarge [ Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mike North writes about Ernie. |
How did he not hear about it until 7am Saturday, and only because he received a call? |
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| Author: | Douchebag [ Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mike North writes about Ernie. |
Sarge wrote: How did he not hear about it until 7am Saturday, and only because he received a call? We already know he doesn't know how to use google. |
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