Ernie Banks Meets His Statue

by Al on Mar 30, 2008 4:40 PM CDT in News Comment 54 comments

Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney, Ernie, and Cubs VP of Community Affairs Mike Lufrano, in front of the statue of Ernie that will be unveiled tomorrow:

as always, click on photo to open a larger version in a new browser window. Photo by David Sameshima

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statue

do you have a picture of it? what is it going to look like?

by BelieveinBlue2314 on Mar 30, 2008 4:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Where is this?

By the ticket windows or back by Harry?

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 4:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

...

i beleive it is by the ticket windows but im not for sure, I really want to know how it looks, I dont know if I can wait til 10 monday.

by BelieveinBlue2314 on Mar 30, 2008 4:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's by the ticket windows.

It'll be unveiled tomorrow morning.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 30, 2008 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good

I can watch the unveiling while having a beer in Cubby Bear.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

webcam shows it (I think)

http://www.cubworld.com/category/a_cubworld_cam

"There is one thing I will never believe, and that is the Sox are better than the Cubs." - Frank Chance

by pfd89 on Mar 30, 2008 4:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

good call. are those 'Cub Pavers' by the main enterance or are those all by Harry too? I never did get a letter saying where mine was. I'm curious.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pavers

If I remember correctly, I remember pavers on the right side of the picture previously. They just got done with all that brick work within the last several weeks. Do you know Al?

"There is one thing I will never believe, and that is the Sox are better than the Cubs." - Frank Chance

by pfd89 on Mar 30, 2008 5:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

There are now pavers all the way down Addison from Clark to Sheffield... the work is completed. Play ball!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 30, 2008 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know I'm opening myself up to getting blasted, but to have a statue of a broadcaster (who spent 25% of his career there and wasn't competent for most of that time) years before the best player in franchise history spoke volumes about the team's priorities.

Mark McGuire didn't like it when I brought it up in a Q&A session a few years ago, but it's pretty hard to be upset about the perception that they didn't care about winning when they made choices like that.

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 30, 2008 5:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I would say there might even be a deeper issue there

than not caring about winning...

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I think they did care

But they weren't competent. The image that was cultivated, though, gave the impression that they didn't care.

What is the deeper issue that you're referring to? Also the incompetence, or something else?

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 30, 2008 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll just say that there aren't too many

statues of African-American ballplayers outside baseball stadiums. Off the top of my head, I can think of 4 teams (KC, STL, Pittsburgh, White Sox, and Cincy) that have such statues, and they all had them before the Cubs gave Banks his statue. I know Al wants to keep this forum politics-free, so this is the last I'll say of it, but I know that there are Cub fans besides myself that find this disconcerting.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hammer'n Hank outside Miller.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep.

I just checked around the interwebz, and there's a couple more: the Hank Aaron statue you mentioned, and San Diego has one of Tony Gwynn.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also,

the White Sox added a statue of Harold Baines.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Harry is a bigger part of the Cubs than most think. Remember WGN was a national broadcast. Harry was the connection to the fan in Oklahoma and California and everyone else who followed the Cubs outside Illinois. If not for Harry I might have been a Braves fan.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But I guess my comment doesnt make much sense towards what you're saying. If you're saying there should be a Santo or Sandberg staue out there rather than a Harry Caray statue then I might agree.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Harry died

And Ernie's still here. That's probably why.

by gjdow on Mar 30, 2008 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thats was another thing I considered. The Harry statue is a tribute put up after he died. Does anyone know the story about that Harry statue? Did the Cubs organization do all that or was it donated or what?

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

reply to gary and Keystone

Gary,

You know, I hadn't even thought about that. That's an interesting point. Would our favorite troll no longer accuse me of being racist if he realized I thought of Banks as an all-time MLB great, and not an African American MLB great? Probably not.

Keystone,

Yep, that's what I meant. Banks, Williams, Jenkins, Santo, etc. Or Cavaretta, Hack, etc. Many, many more deserving before a broadcaster.

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 30, 2008 6:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

As to the first,

I doubt it, but who cares what he thinks?!

I definitely agree it should've been a player first. As for the claim that Harry was the face of the franchise, well, life is no argument; the fact that a broadcaster was the face of the franchise only evinces the claim that the club was more concerned with creating an atmosphere than creating a winning team.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

And that's what I tried to tell McGuire.

A lot of the Harry love is revisionist history, too. He wasn't at the first "Die-Hard Cubs Fan Convention" in 1986, and he didn't bring the attendance up. Harry started in 1982. The attendance took off, not coincidentally, in 1984.

I'm sure Harry helped the popularity, especially when the team stunk. But winning goes a helluva lot farther than a broadcaster in that regard.

by Shanghai Badger on Mar 30, 2008 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't agree more..

Your analysis is spot on Shanghai. It is an embarassment that a broadcasters statue was the only statue outside the stadium. It had to be the only professional sports team on the planet to honor a member of the media before an actual player. I'm glad that has changed.

What year did you graduate Madison?

Wood for closer.

by wicubfan on Mar 31, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great picture

Ernie still looks pretty good, IMHO.

I can't wait to see what it looks like tomorrow! Heck, I can't wait until tomorrow period!!!

by Neifi Puppy on Mar 30, 2008 6:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Now that's what I call VIP Seats!

Looks like the Cubs did it up nice in the area around the Ernie Banks statue. Lots of pavers and extended bench seating along the new walls. If you can't tell from the photo, this is the area just north of the ticket windows, right in front of the Administrative Offices entrance door. Last year there was a drab grey concrete wall that separated the parking lot from the open area. On the downside, this new wall extends farther out past the AO door, which means it will be tougher to get autographs from the various VIPs that frequent that entrance/exit.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 30, 2008 8:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Which is probably exactly why they did it.

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 30, 2008 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please...

Please tell me this isn't done by the same artist who did the Harry Caray statue. Please!

by goddess on Mar 30, 2008 9:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It is, actually.

Why?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 30, 2008 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh!

I don't like the Harry statue. It looks like demons are growing out of his legs.

by goddess on Mar 31, 2008 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's true.

But that doesn't mean all his work is going to look like that.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Apr 1, 2008 4:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whew!

Same studio, different artist. I really like it. Nice job.

by goddess on Apr 1, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well....

i say that Ernie's statue is about 40 years too late!!better late than never i guess.hopefully,ryno is next!!

by goatstew on Mar 30, 2008 9:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping so.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure it's 40 years too late...

...but its definitely at least 20 years overdue.

You have to remember, people didn't start to flock to Wrigley (attendence wise) until post 1984, and Harry was the most beloved figure (and best from a marketing perspective) for the Cubs to toss up a statue.

From a pure history perspective, there were others more deserving, but that isn't the world we live in.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 30, 2008 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It took the Cubs...

... till after Tribune bought the team to retire Ernie's number. The Wrigleys didn't believe in retiring numbers. It happened in 1982.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 31, 2008 4:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

look...

i love Harry like the next guy......but to erect a statue of him instead of a player is just moronic IMO!!

by goatstew on Mar 30, 2008 10:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wonder what this looks like

I'm guessing it's that unmistakable elbow out batting stance. Although what I see doesnt look like theres a bat.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 10:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I looked at it up close today...

...and I think there is a bat in there angling up, and most likely an elbow sticking out rather aggressively.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 30, 2008 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's the funny part...

His feet are facing McDonald's across the street, so essentially his back is to Wrigley Field. When I looked at the statue from the side to take the picture above, two decidedly sophomoric humor thoughts crossed my mind...

1) He looks like he's about to drop trou and moon Wrigley
2) The way that baggie is covering the upper body, it looks like someone gave him the mother of all wedgies

Blasphemous I know, but I thought it funny nonetheless

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 30, 2008 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

HAHA!

I was thinking they could have done a better job hiding it. It looks like a body wrapped to be dumped in the river! They could have covered the whole thing in a giant wodden box.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honoring Ernie on WGN Tomorrow

I'm looking forward to WGN's broadcast tomorrow of the unveiling:

10-11 a.m. central - "Honoring Ernie" special as the Cubs dedicate the Ernie Banks statue at Wrigley Field. This special will also be available live on www.wgntv.com.

by Waveland on Mar 30, 2008 10:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it's from 10-12 central

isn't it 2 hours?

by wojo on Mar 31, 2008 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Listings say...

10 - 11 central time according to all the listings I have seen. There is also a "Next Year Is Here" pregame show live from Wrigley Field from 12:30-1:00.

by Waveland on Mar 31, 2008 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

cubs walk of fame

I couldn't tell if all the "stars" are still there. I assume they are, but didn't see them from the cam.

by wojo on Mar 31, 2008 12:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

"Welcome to Opening Day 2008"

"Congratulations Ernie Banks"

Those two messages already flashing on the marquee this morning:

http://www.cubworld.com/category/a_cubworld_cam

Looks like there's more than a few rain drops on the lens of the webcam, though. I assume if there is a rainout, they will try to play tomorrow.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Mar 31, 2008 6:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

rain forcasted for today

meh, we could be looking at a delay today. They should have started the season up at Miller Park, IMO...

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Mar 31, 2008 6:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ya. Bud Selig strikes again..

Also, the Nats opening last night vs. the Braves and then play today AT Philly?! Is that right? Seems really dumb if thats what they're doing..

Wood for closer.

by wicubfan on Mar 31, 2008 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Nats asked for the national night opener...

... and both they and the Braves agreed to play the one-game "series".

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 31, 2008 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Congratulations Ernie, you've earned it!

n/t

"The championship pennants, oh long may they wave - O'er the grounds of the Sox and the Cubs gloomy grave." - 1906 Chicago Daily News as quoted in The Cubs: The Complete Story of Chicago Cubs Baseball

by DrCrawdad on Mar 31, 2008 7:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

so

is this game gonna get in today or what?

by china423 on Mar 31, 2008 8:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

last season opener rainout?

anyone remember the last time this happened? i would think (but maybe just hope) that they would give a little more leeway on opening day to try to get the game in, but maybe this is just wishful thinking.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 31, 2008 9:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs