Legendary Chicago Cub Ernie Banks was honored Wednesday at the White House with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.
Banks, known both as "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine" was described by the White House as "one of the greatest baseball players of all time." In his 19 seasons as a Chicago Cub, Banks was an MVP favorite, hit more than 500 homers and was swiftly inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame the first year he was eligible.
According to MLB.com, President Obama told of Banks coming up through the Negro Leagues, "making $7 a day" and becoming the first black player to play for the Cubs.
"In the process, Ernie became known as much for his 512 home runs as for his cheer and his optimism, and his eternal faith that someday the Cubs would go all the way," the president and noted Chicago White Sox fan said in a playful jab against the Cubs (who have been without a World Series win since 1908).
Obama added: "He is just a wonderful man and a great icon of my hometown."
Upon learning in August he would receive the honor Banks said, "It means everything to me."
"It means life is just wonderful. When you do things to try to help people and share things, it really comes back to you. I try to do that. I love the players, love Wrigley Field, love all the players. ... This award means a lot to me. It's almost like the Nobel Peace Prize to me."
The baseball great told CBS Chicago his lone regret: “Boy! I wish my mom and dad were alive today to see this happen."
Banks said he is also a big fan of the president (“I was just so happy I couldn’t sleep that night for thinking about Barack,” Banks said of Obama's 2008 election victory) and brought him a Louisville Slugger bat that once belonged to fellow Medal of Freedom winner Jackie Robinson.
Banks, 82, is the eighth professional baseball player to be awarded the honor and the first MLB player from a Chicago team. Banks' presence is a familiar one to Cubs fans and North Siders -- a bronze statue of him stands outside the Friendly Confines.
Banks was awarded the medal along with 16 other recipients including former President Bill Clinton, country great Loretta Lynn, astronaut Sally Ride (a posthumous award) and our former Chicago gal, Oprah.
Here's a great throwback video of Banks signing Johnny Frigo's Cubs anthem, "Hey Hey Holy Mackerel":
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