Chuck Jacobson was living and working in Chicago in 2005 when he went to New York City for a June weekend to watch his beloved Cubs play against the Yankees at iconic, original Yankee Stadium.
Jacobson, who was sitting near the Cubs dugout, had gotten a foul ball from then-Cubs manager Dusty Bakerand boy did that ball come in handy.
During the game, Jacobson spotted Ernie Banks seated nearby, so he asked the long-retired Cubs' hero to autograph the ball.
But Banks refused.
So Jacobson walked away and simply thought, "Oh well."
A few seconds later, Banks started throwing peanuts at Jacobson and said, "Give me that ball."
Jacobson did; Banks signed itand both smiled.
"Ernie always had fun and truly loved the game," said Jacobson, who now lives in San Diego, but remains a diehard Cubs fan. "I always related to Ernie Banks in the way he just wanted to have fun. Ernie always had something positive to say to everyone."
Jacobson and the entire sports world was shocked to hear Jan 23 that Banks, nicknamed Mr. Cub, had died at age 83, just seven days before his 84th birthday. Days later, it was announced that Banks died of a heart attack, his family said.
"It is certainly a sad day for us," Ernie's wife, Liz Banks, said two days after his death at a press conference. "I'd like to thank everyone for being here. He was very beloved and he is going to be dearly missed by family, friends and all of his fans."
Banks' legendary stature reached well beyond the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, the Cubs' home that was Banks' home for all 19 years that he played in the major leagues, from 1953-1971. President Obama, for instance, issued a statement about Banks.
"Michelle and I send our condolences to the family of Ernie Banks, and to every Chicagoan and baseball fan who loved him. Ernie came up through the Negro Leagues, making $7 a day. He became the first African-American to play for the Chicago Cubs, and the first number the team retired. Along the way, he became known as much for his 512 home runs and back-to-back National League MVPs as for his cheer, his optimism, and his love of the game. As a Hall-of-Famer, Ernie was an incredible ambassador for baseball, and for the city of Chicago. He was beloved by baseball fans everywhere, including Michelle, who, when she was a girl, used to sit with her dad and watch him play on TV. And in 2013, it was my honor to present Ernie with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"Somewhere, the sun is shining, the air is fresh, his team's behind him, and Mr. Class — 'Mr. Cub' — is ready to play two."
Banks' stature also led to a statue, which the Cubs temporarily moved from outside Wrigley Field to downtown Chicago. It will be on display in Daley Plaza for several days.
Still, a makeshift memorial was built outside Wrigley Field, particularly along Addison Street, inches away from where Banks' name is etched into the concrete, along with many other Cubs' legends.
The famed Wrigley Field marque also paid tribute to Banks and Banks' flags hung surrounding the marquee.
"Ernie Banks transcended all fandom, especially in Chicago where most people are either Cubs' fans or White Sox fans. Ernie Banks had respect on both sides of town. He was that guy who absolutely everyone respected, not just for his baseball skill, which mind you earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but more so, for who he was and how he lived his life," said Mark Sakalares, 53, who grew up a Cubs fan and remains a diehardand is a vice-president of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ).
Banks was a 14-time All-Star, yet never reached the postseason. Still, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977, the first year he was eligible, and he was selected to baseball's all-century team in 1999.
Banks was a Cubs' goodwill ambassador for decades after retiring, and he rode on the Cubs' float in the 2010 Chicago Pride Parade, though his appearance that year was overshadowed by the actual Stanley Cup and a member of the 2010 Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks appearing on the Pride float of the Chicago Gay Hockey Associationan organization that Jacobson founded.
"Ernie Banks was an ambassador of good," Sakalares said. "He knew [the fight that the LGBT community has been in] because he went through racial discrimination during his career."