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CHICAGO - Even as the Chicago Cubs lost one game after another, Ernie Banks never lost hope.That was the charm of Mr. Cub.Banks, the Hall of Fame slugger and two-time MVP who always maintained his boundless enthusiasm for baseball despite decades of playing on miserable teams, died Friday night. He was 83.The Cubs announced Banks death, but did not provide a cause.Banks hit 512 home runs during his 19-year career and was fond of saying, Its a great day for baseball. Lets play two! In fact, that finish to his famous catchphrase adorns his statue outside Wrigley Field.And on a cold winter night Friday, the ballpark marquee carried the sad news for the entire town to see: Ernie Banks. Mr. Cub. 1931-2015.Words cannot express how important Ernie Banks will always be to the Chicago Cubs, the city of Chicago and Major League Baseball. He was one of the greatest players of all time, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. He was a pioneer in the major leagues. And more importantly, he was the warmest and most sincere person Ive ever known.Approachable, ever optimistic and kind hearted, Ernie Banks is and always will be Mr. Cub. My family and I grieve the loss of such a great and good-hearted man, but we look forward to celebrating Ernies life in the days ahead.Though he was an 11-time All-Star from 1953-71, Banks never reached the post-season. The Cubs, who havent won the World Series since 1908, finished below .500 in all but six of his seasons and remain without a pennant since 1945.Still, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977, the first year he was eligible, and was selected to baseballs All-Century team in 1999.Banks infectious smile and non-stop good humour despite his teams dismal record endeared him to Chicago fans, who voted him the best player in franchise history. One famous admirer, actor Bill Murray, named his son Homer Banks Murray.In 2013, Banks was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom — by a noted Chicago White Sox fan, President Barack Obama. The award is one of the nations highest civilian honours.Ernie Banks was more than a baseball player. He was one of Chicagos greatest ambassadors. He loved this city as much as he loved — and lived for — the game of baseball, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. This year, during every Cubs game, you can bet that No. 14 will be watching over his team. And if were lucky, itll be a beautiful day for not just one ballgame, but two.Banks No. 14 was the first number retired by the Cubs, and it hangs on a flag from the left-field foul pole at Wrigley Field.Id like to get to the last game of the World Series at Wrigley Field and hit three homers, he once said. That was what I always wanted to do.But even without an opportunity to play on the October stage, Banks left an indelible mark that still resonates with fans and athletes from all sports.Ernie Banks... We are going to all miss you. #Legend, quarterback Russell Wilson tweeted as he and the Seattle Seahawks were getting ready to defend their Super Bowl title.Banks was playing for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues when the Cubs discovered him in 1953, and purchased his contract for $10,000. He made his major league debut at shortstop on Sept. 17 that year, and three days later hit his first home run.Tall and thin, Banks didnt look like a typical power hitter. He looked even less so as he stood at the plate, holding his bat high and wiggling it as he waited for pitches. But he had strong wrists and a smooth, quick stroke, and he made hitting balls out of the park look effortless.When he switched to a lighter bat before the 1955 season, his power quickly became apparent. He hit 44 homers that season, including three against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 4. His five grand slams that year established a major league record that stood for more than 30 years before Don Mattingly hit six in 1987.Banks best season came in 1958, when he hit .313 with 47 homers and 129 RBIs. Though the Cubs went 72-82 and finished sixth in the National League, Banks edged Willie Mays and Hank Aaron for his first MVP award. He was the first player from a losing team to win the NL MVP.Banks won the MVP again in 1959, becoming the first NL player to win it in consecutive years, even though the Cubs had another dismal year. Banks batted .304 with 45 homers and a league-leading 143 RBIs.He led the NL in homers again in 1960 with 41, his fourth straight season with 40 or more. His 248 homers from 1955-60 were the most in the majors, topping even Aaron and Mays.Mr Cub. What you have done for the game of baseball the city of Chicago and everyone you have ever touched will never be forgotten. RIP, tweeted Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.Though Banks didnt break the 40-homer barrier again after 1960, he topped the 100-RBI mark three more times, including 1969, his last full season. Then 38, he hit .253 with 23 home runs and 106 RBIs, and was chosen an All-Star for an 11th time.On May 12, 1970, he hit his 500th home run at Wrigley Field, becoming only the eighth player at the time to reach the plateau.Banks retired after the 1971 season. He owned most of the Cubs career slugging records, some of which still stand today.Known mostly for his power at the plate, Banks was a solid fielder, too. He is best known as a shortstop, where he won a Gold Glove in 1960, but he switched to first base in 1962. He played 1,259 games at first and 1,125 games at shortstop.Born and raised in Dallas, Banks would be bribed to play catch by his father, who always wanted him to be a baseball player. Banks grew to love the game and was a standout in high school, along with participating in football, basketball and track and field.He joined a barnstorming Negro Leagues team at 17 and was spotted by Cool Papa Bell, who signed him to the Monarchs in 1950. Banks played one season before going into the Army. He returned to Kansas City after he was discharged, playing one more season before joining the Cubs.He was one of the great crossover baseball players of his day, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said. His personality was a racial bridge builder. He treated all people with dignity and respect. He never stopped reaching out to bridge the racial chasms. Custom Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . Rinne had surgery on his left hip May 9 and recovered in time to start the season. 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By releasing Bailey, the Broncos would open up cap space with the 12-time Pro Bowl player scheduled to make around $10 million next season.NHL rosters have been finalized and with that is the knowledge of which underage Canadian Juniors will start the season in the bigs. Congratulations are in order and for the young men starting the season in the NHL, its the culmination of a life time of dreaming about playing in the NHL. Yes, theres the understanding it may be only for nine games, an audition so to speak - before another reality sets in. NHL teams are not so eager to have a year of a players entry level contract lop off if there isnt certainty, or more of one, about a players capability to sustain play over the long season. For Team Canada, reality of a different kind sets in. How would the team look if all of these players remain in the NHL and are unavailable for the World Junior Hockey Championship? As I wrote in September, it is always a matter of trying to replace skilled, top end, impact players. Teenage goalies are not going to be in the NHL any time in the future, near or long, so Canada has no worries there. On defence, Aaron Ekblad appears to be a lock to remain in Florida. A luxury to think about joining the team but a reality that is rooted somewhere around zero. I cant envision a scenario where Darnell Nurse isnt returned to junior - a reality I think is closer to 100. One thing stands out for me about the defence - they have size and they can skate. Returnee Josh Morrissey will anchor the blue line and he will have plenty of help. This will be a group that will defend well, transition well and contribute offence. A well-rounded group that will be a strength of the team. The forward group could change significantly between now and Christmas. Whats clear is that the quality of player starting the season in the NHL is of a very high calibre. Some injuries also begin to factor in. None more so than Sam Bennett, who - if he needs shoulder surgery - would all but guarantee his absence. Morgan Klimchuk suffered a broken wrist in training camp, Jake Virtanen is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and Robbi Fabbri was injured in an NHL pre-season game. Jonathan Drouin is a player to talk about as being eligible but his availability seems to be remote. Hockey Canada eyes will closely follow the progress (or lack of progress) of Sam Reinhart, Curtis Lazar, BBo Horvat and Anthony Duclair.dddddddddddd Those eyes will also be closely following other players as they prepare for all possibilities. Opportunity has opened up and while December seems a long way off, every game becomes important for the players who will be vying for a spot on the junior team. Ghost rosters will be contemplated over the next weeks for Team Canadas management and coaching staff as the evaluations continue both for the players in junior and in the NHL. Either way, play well and youre in. This isnt a new reality for Hockey Canada. CRAIG BUTTONS PROJECTED TEAM CANADA - OCTOBER Forwards Left Wing Centre Right Wing Nicolas Ritchie (Peterborough) Connor McDavid (Erie) Jake Virtanen (Calgary) Max Domi (London) Nic Petan (Portland) Jayce Hawrlyuk (Brandon) Michael Dal Colle (Oshawa) Robby Fabbri (Guelph) Zach Nastasiuk (Owen Sound) Morgan Klimchuk (Regina) Frederik Gauthier (Rimouski) Greg Chase (Calgary) To be determined - Jonathan Drouin, Anthony Duclair, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Curtis Lazar, Bo Horvat Defence Left Right Haydn Fleury (Red Deer) Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert) Samuel Morin (Rimouski) Madison Bowey (Kelowna) Travis Sanheim (Calgary) Shea Theodore (Seattle) Dillon Heatherington (Swift Current) To be determined - Aaron Ekblad, Darnell Nurse Goaltenders Zach Fucale (Halifax) Philippe Desrosiers (Rimouski) Eric Comrie (Tri-City) Mason McDonald (Charlottetown) Candidates Left Wing Left Defence Centre Right Defence Right Wing Nick Paul (North Bay) Ben Harpur (Guelph) Brayden Point (Moose Jaw) Roland McKeown (Kingston) Nick Baptiste (Sudbury) Brendan Lemieux (Barrie) Jason Dickinson (Guelph) Chris Bigras (Owen Sound) Jeremy Gregoire (Baie Comeau) Jeremy Roy (Sherbrooke) Blackhawks Jerseys Store Cheap Wild Jerseys Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Penguins Jerseys Store Capitals Jerseys For Sale Blues Jerseys Store Cheap Kings Jerseys Adidas Lightning Jerseys Stars Jerseys For Sale Cheap Predators Jerseys Ducks Store Sharks Jerseys For Sale Cheap Sabres Jerseys Rangers Jerseys For Sale ' ' '