Banks Ernie - Lets play two: the life and times of Ernie Banks

Lets Play Two

Lets Play Two

The Life and Times of Ernie Banks

Doug Wilson

Rowman & Littlefield

Lanham Boulder New York London

Published by Rowman & Littlefield

An imprint of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

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Copyright 2019 by The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

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All rights reserved . No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a review.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information Available

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Wilson, Doug, 1961 author.

Title: Lets play two : the life and times of Ernie Banks / Doug Wilson.

Other titles: Let us play two | Ernie Banks

Description: Lanham, Maryland : Rowman & Littlefield, [2019] | Distributed by NATIONAL BOOK NETWORKT.p. verso. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018025363 (print) | LCCN 2018032745 (ebook) | ISBN 9781538112304 (electronic) | ISBN 9781538112298 (hardback : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Banks, Ernie, 19312015. | Baseball playersUnited StatesBiography.

Classification: LCC GV865.B24 (ebook) | LCC GV865.B24 W55 2019 (print) | DDC 796.357092 [B]dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018025363

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

Printed in the United States of America

Acknowledgments

I n dealing with a subject such as this, certain traps and pitfalls to the truth must be navigated. The Ernie Banks story, as printed in newspapers and books, is littered with inaccuracies that have been printed hastily, cribbed, and reprinted throughout the years. Some stories handed down in the oral tradition have been embellished and contain more myth than fact. As much as possible, I sorted through the imprecisions and fact-checked with contemporary accounts, game records in , and personal interviews.

As usual, in any work of nonfiction, the author is indebted to the kindness of strangers who take their time to talk and share memories, and I was lucky to find a number of great storytellers. I cannot express enough gratitude for everyone who helped me.

A special note of gratitude is due to Robert Prince, Joe Kirven, and Robert Stinnett for sharing with me their experiences growing up in the North Dallas of Ernie Banks. These men lived through an important era of history, and they are national treasures. When they speak, we should all sit quietly and listen.

Similarly, men who played Negro League baseball are an important part of our history. Thank you to Ernie Johnson, Sam Taylor, and William Bell for speaking to me about their years with the Kansas City Monarchs.

Thanks to the following former Major League Baseball players for being so gracious to talk with me and share their memories: George Altman, Jim Bolger, Darrel Chaney, Doug Clemens, Dick Ellsworth, Ransom Jackson, Don Kaiser, Don Kessinger, Jerry Kindall, Hobie Landrith, Jim Marshall, Lindy McDaniel, Dick Nen, Rich Nye, Nate Oliver, Milt Pappas, Pete Richert, Bob Talbot, Lee Thomas, and Jim Willis.

Due to the nature of talking to baseball players who played decades ago, sometimes they pass away before the book is published. I am appreciative of the opportunity and wish special thanks to the memories of Milt Pappas and Jerry Kindall. They were both very friendly and helpful in sharing their love for the game of baseball and will be missed.

I learned long ago that if you want to know how guys really behave off the field, talk to a batboy. I was lucky to be able to get in touch with George Incledon, Cubs batboy from 1956 and 1957. I enjoyed listening to his stories from what was probably the greatest job a 14-year-old kid could have in those days.

Thank you to Zach Sanzone, Shirley Marx, and Chuck Shriver for sharing their memories from their personal perspectives of the story. Also, thank you to Larry Davidson, Dennis Freres, Mike Filipiak, Kathy Hounihan, Steve Hullcranz, and Jerry Schuebel for sharing their personal stories of meeting Ernie Banks as fans at various ages.

It is always helpful to talk to journalists who worked during the period. They know the story from a personal point of view and also have the background information and knowledge of local lore that often is not printed. For this project, I was lucky to get help from three of Chicagos best: Fred Mitchell, Ed Sherman, and George Castle. Fred was gracious and helpful in explaining his relationship with Ernie Banks as both a journalist and friend for more than four decades. Ed was terrific and freely gave his time to talk to me and shared several articles. George has written more than 14 books on baseball, most of them about the Cubs; is a leader for the Chicago Baseball History Museum; and is probably the foremost Chicago Cubs historian. He provided clues to important aspects I otherwise might not have sniffed out and spent several days exchanging e-mails with me, playing the devils advocate for several of my ideas. I cannot express my gratitude enough to these three men.

As a writer, Rich Cohen, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair , as well as a best-selling author, can sling words with the best of them. He also has a unique perspective as a lifelong Cubs fan and had the opportunity to meet Ernie Banks twice when he was young, then conducted what was probably the last significant interview Ernie ever gave. In that 2014 interview, perhaps because Ernie sensed his own impending mortality, Rich was able to access Ernies true feelings on a number of subjects better than anyone ever had before. I appreciate the fact that he took his time to share his experience and opinions with me.

In addition to the books, articles, and online sources previously noted, an invaluable source for the understanding of what life was really like in North Dallas from 1930 to 1960 is found in the Marion Butts photo collection in the Dallas Public Library Archives. Mr. Butts left hundreds of photos detailing virtually every aspect of life, from schools, entertainment, sports, landmarks, major events, and life in general. Examining these black-and-white images gives an unparalleled view into the past.

Special thanks to Mike and Mike, Harold, Brina, Lance, and the rest of the gang in the Goodreads Baseball Book Club for the stimulating baseball conversations, support, and laughing at my jokes (at least funny ones).

Thanks to Harold Kasselman for helping me to understand some legal situations in the story.

Thank you to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, Jerry Schuebel, Steve Hullcranz, Larry Davidson, and James Brady for the use of pictures.

Thanks to Tyler Munn of the Bartholomew County Public Library for his great work obtaining hard-to-find stuff for interlibrary loan.

Thank you to the faculty of Kentucky Wesleyan College for teaching the value of a liberal arts education to this science major many years ago. Memories of red ink splattered all over my term papers from the vigilant grading pen of Dr. Marisue Coy in the Writing Workshop class inspire me to this day.

Thank you to my wife and family for their continued support.