Feb. 19--The Chicago Cubs will hold several tributes for Hall of Fame slugger Ernie Banks in the wake of his passing on Jan. 23.
The Cubs will wear a commemorative No. 14 patch on their home and road jerseys during spring training games and the regular season. Also, the Cubs will wear No. 14 hats during their split-squad games on March 5 against the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giant, with acknowledgments planned for their opening spring game against the A's at Sloan Park.
Banks, who passed away at 83, will be honored in a pre-game ceremony before their regular season opener April 5 against the St. Louis Cardinals, and each fan attending the game will receive a commemorative pin in the honor of Banks.
Additional tributes to Banks will be incorporated during the 2015 season.
"There is no level of recognition that can properly acknowledge how much Ernie Banks meant to this franchise and fan base," Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. "Collectively, we must ensure Mr. Cub's legacy rightfully lives on at the Friendly Confines and with future generations of baseball fans."
Banks spent all of his 19 seasons with the Cubs, hitting 512 home runs and earning 14 All-Star selections and two National League most valuable player awards.
