Cubs Fans Gather At Public Visitation For Ernie Banks
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Fans and friends of the late Ernie Banks said goodbye Friday to "Mr. Cubs" as they gathered at Fourth Presbyterian Church on the Magnificent Mile for a public visitation.
Banks, who would have turned 84 this week, died Jan. 23 of a heart attack.
A steady stream of Cubs fans passed his closed casket, with many of them pausing to reflect on the happy memories delivered by No. 14.
Like home run number 500. Alan Buranowski remembers the day Banks achieved that benchmark.
"It's a moment frozen in time for me," he tells CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez.
Whether you watched him from the stands, or the dugout, the man known as "Mr. Cub" was unforgettable.
"When I went up there to view the casket, it brought back a lot of memories," retired outfielder Billy Williams said.
Cubs owner Tom Ricketts greeted mourners, and choked up talking about Banks' generous spirit. Banks always had time for the fans, Ricketts said.
The two-time MVP played his entire 19-year career with the Cubs, making 14 All-Star teams. He played nine seasons at shortstop, and 10 at first base. He was widely considered one of the best power-hitting shortstops of all time; twice leading the National League in home runs and RBI while playing shortstop.
His upbeat attitude and never-ending optimism made him a fan favorite, and possibly the most popular Cub of all time.
Some fans showed up as early as 7 a.m. Friday to pay their respects.
"He was a really great person. He's like family. I mean, I didn't get to see him as a player, but he was always there at Wrigley. He was always talking to people. He'd want to know how you're doing," said Patrick Hozjan.
Trudie Acheatel said she cherished her conversations with Banks at Cubs games and conventions.
"I don't think, if it wasn't for Ernie, I would have been a Cubs fan for all that time," she said. "I still think this is a dream, this is not happening. I knew at the Cub Convention, when Ernie wasn't there this year, that something was wrong. I felt it."
Banks' funeral also will be held at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., at 10 a.m. on Saturday, when Banks would have turned 84. A procession after the memorial service will go past Banks' statue at Daley Plaza, and also past Wrigley Field.