<
>

Banks memorial to include Williams, Jenkins, Torre, others

CHICAGO -- Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins, Lou Brock and Joe Torre are scheduled to be among 11 speakers at the memorial for Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks on Saturday, the team announced Thursday.

Banks, 83, passed away from a heart attack on Jan. 23. He was a two-time MVP for the Cubs, in 1958 and '59, and was the club's first African-American player.

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts will be the first to speak Saturday, followed by Torre, Williams, Jenkins, Brock, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Rev. Jesse Jackson. Banks' twin sons and a personal Banks friend will also pay tribute.

Following the memorial service, which will start at 10 a.m. CT at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, the funeral procession will pass Ernie Banks' statue in Daley Plaza before moving past Wrigley Field.

The full route will take the procession from the church, located at 126 East Chestnut Street, south on Michigan Avenue, west on Randolph Street, south on Clark Street and east on Washington Street, past Daley Plaza. The procession will then head to Lake Shore Drive, driving north to the Belmont Avenue exit. It will head west on Belmont Avenue, northwest on Clark Street, north on Sheffield Avenue and west on Addison Street to Clark Street, where it will pass the Wrigley Field marquee.

Banks, known affectionately as "Mr. Cub," hit 512 home runs in his 19-year career, all spent with the franchise. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977. His positive attitude and charismatic personality were popular staples at Wrigley Field long after he retired. Known for many sayings, he might be best remembered for declaring, "It's a beautiful day, let's play two!" -- exemplifying his love of the game.