Cub Tracks Remembers Mr. Cub

It's times like this that I wish I were a better writer. For some reason, I find myself having a hard time expressing my feelings on the passing of Ernie Banks even though I am not old enough to have seen him play a single game. It'd be nice to be able to say something eloquent, but unfortunately for me it's just not my strong suit. For me, he's simply Mr. Cub and I don't think that there will ever be another person to wear a Cub uniform that will mean more to the Cubs than he did.

This edition of Cub Tracks is dedicated to the reactions from around the world of baseball and other areas to the life and memories of Ernie Banks.

• Patrick Mooney writes that Ernie Banks did it his way, killing his foes with kindness.
• Carrie Muskat compiled the reflections of fans and players and says that if you keep hearing nice things about Banks, it's because he was genuinely nice.
• Richard Justice says that Banks will be remembered for his smile and warmth, as well as his ability to make everyone feel better about themselves.
• Bruce Levine says that Banks was much more than one of the all-time great ball players, having the ability to put the most nervous fan or unsure kid at ease with his constant smile.
• Tim Baffoe looks at Banks as the Cub fan's perpetual hope and reflects on the one thing that many of us also feel: How sad it was for Banks to never see the Cubs get to the World Series.
• Chris Emma recalls Banks as a man who would treat a first-year columnist the same way that he would treat a longtime friend.
• Paul Sullivan remembers Banks as a man whose DNA will be embedded forever into the game of baseball.
• He also remembers Banks' eternal optimism and as being a man who made the idea of playing baseball at Wrigley Field sound like a day in paradise regardless of the result.
• Rick Morrissey remembers Banks as a good man whose love for a child's game shined through.
• Chris De Luca has reactions from across the state and says that no other player in franchise history or in the club's future will ever be adored the same way as Banks.
• Bruce Miles reflects on Banks' perpetually sunny disposition as well as his modesty.
• Barry Rozner remembers Banks as the most sincere ambassador the game has ever known and the greatest player in the history of the Cubs.
• Mike Imrem recalls the first time that he met Banks while working for the Champaign News-Gazette on May 10, 1967.
• Ed Sherman looks back at his encounters with Banks, including the time Sherman showed Banks his picture file at the Tribune in 1994.
• Rob Neyer reflects on Banks' enthusiasm despite what must have been discouraging times during his playing days.
• Joe Posnanski says that Banks was a new kind of pioneer, being loved by Chicago right from the start despite the turbulent times in which his career started.
• Thomas Boswell from the Washington Post remembers Banks and the 1969 season, saying that if you want a defining trait that survives defeat, it's hard to beat enthusiasm.
• The loss of Banks was a blow to Billy Williams, who felt that something was wrong when Banks didn't show up at the Cubs convention last week.
• Williams also says that now is not a time for fans to mourn, but instead to celebrate the life of Banks.
• [VIDEO] The CSN Chicago team put together a three-part video to remember Banks' legacy.
• [AUDIO] ESPN Chicago has reactions from Andre Dawson, Michael Wilbon, Sarah Spain, and Jesse Rogers.
• Mark Grace offered his recollections of Banks, saying that he doesn't see anyone like Banks coming down the pike anytime soon.
• Doug Glanville had his share of trials and tribulations around race or culture during his playing days, and he recalls Banks as being the one person who lived a life that showed that all people are one.
• Mark Gonzales has reactions from several former Cub players as well as baseball historian Ed Hartig.
• Members of the White Sox organization also offered their condolences, with Minnie Minoso, Jerry Reinsdorf, and Steve Stone all reflecting on the life of Banks.
• More reactions from the South Side, including recollections from Sox general manager Rick Hahn and condolences from center-fielder Adam Eaton.
• The White Sox also held a moment of silence at SoxFest to honor Mr. Cub.
• Many reactions came from the world of Twitter as well, with current and former players as well as members of the Bulls, Bears, and White Sox all offering their condolences.
• [VIDEO] More tweets from the world of baseball, as well as videos of him singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and throwing out a first pitch with Ryne Sandberg.
• Even more reactions from Twitter as well as from Tom Verducci and Tim Kurkjian among others.
• Lyle Spencer spoke with pitcher Al Downing about his memories of Banks.
• Negro League Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick spoke of Banks' integral role with the museum and the consistent support that he offered to it.
• President Barack Obama also released an official statement to honor the memory of Mr. Cub.
• What better way to remember Banks than with his own words, and that's what Phil Rogers did, recalling interviews with Banks at events in 2010.
• This was very interesting to see: The official scouting report on Banks taken by scout Hugh Wise on July 28, 1953.
• And here are some facts and figures from his 19-year career.
• Scott Lindholm from Beyond the Box Score also looks back at the statistical history of Banks.
• [VIDEO] Another fun memory of Mr. Cub from 2013, as he joined Pearl Jam on stage at Wrigley Field to since the Cubs anthem "All the Way".
• The Sun-Times compiled a large group of photos and videos of Banks, including his 500th home run.
• [VIDEO] Here's a classic video featuring Banks facing off against Mickey Mantle on Home Run Derby.
• Finally, this cartoon says it all, with Banks being welcomed at the Friendly Confines in the Sky by Ron Santo and Harry Caray.