Banks’ 500th home run puts him in rare company
Ernie Banks, however, could always provide sunshine.
With the skies clearing in the bottom of the second inning, Banks hit a 1-and-1 pitch from Pat Jarvis over the left field wall for his 500th career home run. With the blast, Banks became just the ninth member of the 500-home run club.
His final totals: 512 home runs, 1,636 RBI and back-to-back NL MVP Awards in 1958 and 1959.
“I’m not discouraged,” Banks told United Press International during his final season in 1971. “Baseball is still fun to me, and I’d like to keep playing as long as I’m wanted.”
Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
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