Overview of the Item
Julieanna Richardson
Matthew Hickey
Video Oral History Interview with Ernie Banks
July 18, 2000
5 Betacam SP videocassettes, 1 half-Hollinger box containing (NUMBER) folders of accompanying materials.
(ABSTRACT)
A2000.003
The interviews and records are in English
Biographical Note
Ernie Banks was born in Dallas, Texas, on January 31, 1931. As legend has it, his father had to bribe young Ernie with nickels and dimes in order to get his son to play catch.
An all-around athlete, Banks was a high school star in football, basketball and track. At age seventeen, he signed to play baseball with a Negro barnstorming team. Manager Cool Papa Bell recognized Banks' talent and signed him to a contract with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Baseball League.
In 1953, Banks was recruited directly from the Negro League into the majors with the Chicago Cubs. He hit his first home run on September 20, 1953, beginning a long career as one of the Cubs' most beloved players. From 1955 to 1960, Ernie Banks hit more homers than anyone in the majors, including Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, and he finished his career with five seasons of forty or more home runs. In 1959 he became the first player in National League history to win consecutive Most Valuable Player trophies, a year removed from setting an NL record for homers by a shortstop with forty-seven.
After retiring from the major leagues as a career Cub in 1971, Banks became the first Cub to have his uniform number retired. In 1977, Banks was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Cubs fans will always remember him as the ballplayer who said, "What a great day for baseball! Let's play two!"
Biographical Note by The HistoryMakers®
Scope and Contents
This life oral history interview with Ernie Banks was conducted by Julieanna Richardson on 18 July 2000 in Chicago, Illinois and is recorded on 5 30-minute Betacam SP videocassettes. Access copies exist on Betacam SP, VHS, DVD and MPEG-1. The interview contains information on (COMPLETE ONE SENTENCE DESCRIPTION OF INTERVIEW). Accompanying materials in the collection include Ernie Banks's correspondence with The HistoryMakers® related to the interview; a copy of the signed release form and the production report; the biographical information used by the interviewer to prepare for the interview (DETAILS); paper copies of the interview transcripts, 3 1/2" floppy disks with electronic copies of the transcripts; selected quotes for video clips; photocopies of photographs captured on video; XML files with metadata created in editing and cataloguing the interview for The HistoryMakers Digital Video Library; and paper copies of these XML files.
Accompanying Material
Accompanying materials: Accompanying materials are filed in (NUMBER) folders in a half-Hollinger box and shelved at The HistoryMakers® Archives and Collection Library by accession number, separately from the videos.
Index Terms
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access terms.
Contributors:
Banks, Ernie, 1931-
Richardson, Julieanna
Hickey, Matthew
Persons:
(PERSONS)
Corporate Bodies:
(CORPORATE BODIES)
Family Names:
Banks
Places:
(PLACES)
Subjects:
(SUBJECTS)
Document Types:
Video oral history interview
Titles:
The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with Ernie Banks
Restrictions on Access
Access to paper records is restricted. Other restrictions may be applied on a case-by-case basis.
Restrictions on Use
All use of materials must be pre-approved by The HistoryMakers® and appropriate credit must be given. All use credits must be pre-approved by The HistoryMakers®. Copyright is held by The HistoryMakers®.
Location of Originals
Betacam, VHS, DVD and MPEG-1 access copies are held for in-house use at The HistoryMakers®; Betacam SP, VHS and DVD playback hardware is provided for in-house viewing of the access copies; MPEG-1 copies are searchable and viewable via a digital video database.
Preferred Citation
The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with Ernie Banks, July 18, 2000. The HistoryMakers® African American Video Oral History Collection, 1900 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois.
Detailed Description/Tape Listings
Video Oral History Interview with Ernie Banks, Tape 1, July 18, 2000, TRT: 00:28:53.
Ernie Banks describes photos he has brought to the interview, including images of Banks with Lou Brock and Buck O'Neil, Banks's extended family, Willie Mays, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, and Ernie Banks and his father. Banks ends by describing his relationship with his father as a child.
Video Oral History Interview with Ernie Banks, Tape 2, July 18, 2000, TRT: 00:29:31.
Ernie Banks begins by describing his family background, including the harmonious marriage shared by his parents. He details the personality of his mother, who had a positive influence on Banks when he was young. Banks shares some stories from his childhood involving his family and friends, including being jilted on his prom night. He explains how he acquired his work ethic from his father. Banks details his personality as a child, describing himself as an introvert, especially during elementary school. He talks about his parents' occupations, and relates a story of his own employment as a teenager. Banks describes his athletic exploits as a high school student, saying that he had only average athletic ability and his favorite sport was softball. He explains how his father encouraged him to play baseball from an early age. Banks closes by outlining his stint in the Army, and briefly explains that he entered Major League Baseball shortly after his discharge.
Video Oral History Interview with Ernie Banks, Tape 3, July 18, 2000, TRT: 00:29:28.
Ernie Banks begins by describing his experience playing in the Negro Baseball League. He describes the adjustments he made upon moving to the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. He discusses his process of learning from experience during his early years with the Chicago Cubs. Banks details his mindset while playing baseball, explaining the solitude he feels on the field of play. He explains why he generally deflected praise from his achievements to those of his teammates. Banks explains the origin of his nickname, "Mr. Cub," and his ambivalence regarding his moniker. He describes his relationship with Cubs owner Philip K. Wrigley. Banks closes by describing his experience of being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Video Oral History Interview with Ernie Banks, Tape 4, July 18, 2000, TRT: 00:30:51.
Ernie Banks begins by discussing his foray into politics, running for alderman in the City of Chicago. He discusses how politicians have used his life as a positive example for society. Banks discusses the roots of his positive attitude, and how some have difficulty understanding his personal outlook. Banks details how he and other prominent African Americans with positive outlooks are vilified as being disloyal to their race. Banks outlines his many connections with well-known personalities, explaining that he does not feel a personal connection with other celebrities. He professes contentment in his life because he is not attached to society. Banks explains his future plans to become a philanthropist. He talks about his admiration for many athletes who now participate in an industry rather than a game. Banks closes by discussing his empathy for children, created by the numerous negative influences in society.
Video Oral History Interview with Ernie Banks, Tape 5, July 18, 2000, TRT: 00:27:21.
Ernie Banks begins by discussing his views on the strenuous nature of modern society. He explains his hopes and fears for the future of African Americans, advising young African Americans never to give up. Banks explains why he does not want to be remembered. He explains why some cynics feel history is irrelevant. Banks talks about his current state of contentment. He closes by recalling instances in which sports have influenced society postitively and negatively. Three photos are shown, including images of Banks's children, Banks receiving and award, and Banks with his twin sons at Wrigley Field.