The late Ernie Banks was the most popular player in Chicago Cubs history. The durable and resilient Banks earned a place amongst Major League Baseballs elite 500 Home Run Club with 512 round-trippers to his credit. The first African-American player on the Cubs and one of the game's earliest black superstars Banks was the first National Leaguer to ever win the MVP award in consecutive years (1958 and '59). He hit a record five grand slams in 1955 and in 1958 hit 47 home runs the most ever by a National League shortstop. This lot features an Ernie Banks signed Hillerich & Bradsby professional model bat that he used during a July 2 1965 game vs. the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. The Cubs lost 4-0 that day thanks to a complete game shutout by Giants Hall of Fame hurler Juan Marichal. Banks went 0-4 that day as did many of his teammates against Marichal who struck out nine and walked none in the dominant effort. Early in the ballgame Ernie came up against Marichal and fouled off a pitch into the stands cracking this bat in the process. The story is beautifully laid out in a letter by the consignor at that time a 13-year-old fan attending the game with his parents as a belated birthday gift. Banks handed his broken bat to the young fan seated behind the Cubs dugout a kind gesture so typical of "Mr. Cub." 27 years later the consignor got the bat signed by Banks in person with the attached photograph and autograph show ticket to prove it. The bat measures 34.75" long and weighs 31 ounces. It shows avid game use and includes a 6-inch crack near the middle of the handle. Banks' signature appears on the barrel in black marker and rates a 7-8/10 in our book.

Includes LOA from consignor documenting the bat's acquisition and eventual autograph. Also comes with autograph ticket for "The Boys Are Back - Chicago Cubs Heroes" show on 2/23/1992 and a photo of Banks holding his old cracked bat. Additional LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (GU8.5). Autograph pre-certified by PSA/DNA.