‘Mr. Cub’ Ernie Banks Dies at 83

One of the greatest shortstops in major league history has died.

The Chicago Cubs say Hall of Famer and two-time MVP Ernie Banks was 83 when he died Friday night. The team did not provide a cause of death.

Banks hit 512 home runs during his 19 major league seasons, including five years with at least 40. He captured the NL Most Valuable Player award in 1958 and '59 and went to 11 All-Star games from 1955-69. But his Cubs never finished better than second place during his career, making him one of the greatest players to never appear in a postseason game.

His hitting was surpassed by his enthusiasm for the game. He was fond of saying, "It's a great day for baseball. Let's play two!"

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977, his first year of eligibility. Banks also was selected to baseball's All-Century team in 1999.