- Uniform #14 retired by the Cubs.
- He hit his 500th home run on May 12. When he retired, his career home run total was 512.
- Played professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1971. Won National League (NL) Most Valuable Player award in 1958 & 1959. Set a Major League record for home runs by a shortstop with 47 in 1958. Named to the MLB All-Century team in October, 1999 as a shortstop. Led NL in home runs in 1958 & 1960, and RBIs in 1958 & 1959. Hit 40 or more home runs four consecutive years (1957-1960) and five times overall. Never appeared in a playoff or World Series. Hit 512 career home runs. Had 100 or more RBIs eight times.
- Born at 4:0am-CST
- Chicago Cubs Career Games Played Leader(2,528).
- Named to 11 National League All Star Teams (1955-1962, 1965, 1967 and 1969).
- Became the first slugger to use a light bat after accidentally picking up a bat belonging to a teammate as a rookie. Hit five grand slam home runs in 1955, setting a major league record for grand slams in one season.
- Made major league debut on 17 September 1953.
- Inducted into the ESPN Chicago Hall of Fame in 2011 (inaugural class) with Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Dick Butkus, and Mike Ditka.
- Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 by President Barack Obama.
- In his memoir "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid", author Bill Bryson said of Banks: "he was the nicest human being I've ever met in my life. It was like being friends with God.".
- He was the Cubs' first black player.
- He died eight days before his 84th birthday.
- Chicago Cubs Career At Bats Leader(9,421).
- Chicago Cubs Career Total Bases Leader(4,706).
- Finished in top 10 in voting for National League MVP in 1955, 1957 and 1960.
- Won 1960 National League Gold Glove Award at Shortstop.
- Inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.
- Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.
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