Banks, Ernie

Banks, Ernie

 in full Ernest Banks

(born Jan. 31, 1931, Dallas, Tex., U.S.) American baseball player. In 1950 Banks was signed by the Kansas City Monarchs, one of the top teams in the Negro leagues. After one season with the Monarchs, Banks spent two years in the U.S. Army. He spent only a short time in the Negro leagues after his discharge from the service, as he was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1953. Banks soon established himself as one of the National League's leading power hitters, his career batting totals were 512 home runs and 1,636 runs batted in, with more than 40 home runs in each of five seasons. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, his first year of eligibility.