That's too bad. Great player and representative for the game. He shook my hand in 1965 between games at a doubleheader with the Reds at Crosley Field. His smile would light up the room and he said something to everybody he passed.
One of my two childhood idols (the other, Stan Musial). Now both are gone. Several years ago, my son was in the same room as Ernie. He told Ernie the story of how disappointed he was as a 10 year old little leaguer when he didn't get the number he wanted and was given instead no. 14. I told him that it was the best number on the team because it was Ernie Banks' number. Ernie gave him an autograph addressed to me. It's one of my most prized possessions.
:!: Very cool. When you consider that Ernie Banks was the first black player for the Cubs, his entire life is remarkable. How easy it would have been to hold a grudge and hate the world. As far as I know, Frank Robinson never signed an autograph that he wasn't paid for, and there were so many others... But Ernie Banks really did make this planet a better place.
The cause of death was a heart attack. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/family-attorney-cubs-great-ernie-banks-died-heart-203024528--mlb.html