Did you know that Ernie Banks was the first National League player to win consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards (1958 & 1959)? His American League counterpart is Jimmie Foxx , the first junior circuit player to win consecutive MVP Awards (1932 & 1933).

Did you know that Ernie Banks was the first African-American player in Chicago Cubs history to appear in a regular season game ( Team-by-Team History )? Gene Baker was signed first, but an injury delayed his appearance, paving the way for Mr. Cub.

Did you know that Ernie Banks was the first Chicago Cubs player to win a Gold Glove Award ? Mr. Cub won in 1960, at shortstop, followed by Ken Hubbs , who won a Gold Glove Award at Second Base , in 1962. The next Cubbie shortstop to win was Don Kessinger (1969 & 1970).

Did you know that Ernie Banks was the first player in baseball history to hit five grand slams in a single season ? The history making grand slams were hit on: #1. May 11, 1955 (off Russ Meyer ), #2. May 29, 1955 (off Lew Burdette ), #3. July 17, 1955 (off Ron Negray ), #4. August 2, 1955 (off Dick Littlefield ), and #5. September 19, 1955 (off Lindy McDaniel ). His Major League record was broken in 1987, by Don Mattingly who hit six (and was tied by Travis Hafner in 2006), but his mark still stands in the National League having only been tied, by Albert Pujols , in 2009.

Ernie Banks made his Major League debut on September 17, 1953 , then played in 424 consecutive games - the Major League record for most consecutive games from the start of a career for 50+ years. Hideki Matsui made his Major League debut on March 31, 2003 , then played in a record breaking 518 consecutive games.

Ernie Banks consecutive games played from the start of a career streak ended due to an 18-day trip to the disabled list because of a hand infection. On August 28, 1956, Mr. Cub started a new streak, played in 717 consecutive games , but a nagging knee caused him to miss breaking the National League record (at the time) for consecutive games played set by Stan Musial (895 games, 04-15-1952 thru 08-23-1957).

Ernie Banks | National Baseball Hall of Fame Plaque | Class of 1977 ( HOF )
Fourteen Major League players have stepped onto the field since 1903, played in 2,000+ games, and never once appeared in a postseason game. They are: #1. Ernie Banks (2,528, #2. Luke Appling (2,422), #3. Mickey Vernon (2,409), #4. Buddy Bell (2,405), #5. Ron Santo (2,243), #6. Joe Torre (2,209), #7. Toby Harrah (2,155), #8. Harry Heilmann (2,147), #9. Eddie Yost (2,109), #10. Roy McMillan (2,093), #11. Don Kessinger (2,078), #12. George Sisler (2,055), #13 Cy Williams (2,002), and #14. Adam Dunn (2,001).