Jan. 25--1953: Ernie Banks makes his Cubs debut Sept. 17. He starts at shortstop and bats seventh, becoming the first African-American player in team history.
1954: On Aug. 22, Banks homers twice in a 12-6 loss to the Braves at Wrigley Field. This is his first multihomer game.
1955: On May 11, Banks homers to left-center off Brooklyn's Russ Meyer for his first career grand slam. Banks would hit a total of five grand slams this season, a single-season record.
1955: Banks is the starting shortstop for the National League in the All-Star Game, held in Milwaukee's County Stadium.
1957: On June 9, Banks makes a rare start at third base and connects for his 100th career homer, a three-run shot off the Phillies' Robin Roberts. Banks would hit more homers off Roberts (15) than any other pitcher.
1958: Banks is voted the NL's Most Valuable Player, despite the fact that the Cubs finish 20 games behind the Braves.
1959: Banks wins the MVP award again in 1959, becoming the first back-to-back winner in NL history. On June 14, Banks hit his 200th homer, a two-run shot, off Milwaukee's Carl Willey.
1960: Banks wins the National League Gold Glove award at shortstop. He and Don Kessinger (1969, 1970) are the only Cubs shortstops to win a Gold Glove.
1961: The Cubs try Banks in left field for a few weeks then at first base, where he plays for the first time on June 16. Banks moves back to shortstop in July.
1962: Banks opens the season at first base and stays there almost exclusively the rest of his career. On April 18, he hit a game-winning solo homer (his 300th) in the bottom of the 10th.
1965: On Sept. 2, With Billy Williams and Ron Santo on base, Banks hits a three-run homer (his 400th) off the Cardinals' Curt Simmons in the third inning.
1970: Banks joins an elite club when he hits his 500th career homer, a solo shot off Atlanta's Pat Jarvis at Wrigley Field on May 12, 1970. At the time, he is just the ninth player to reach the 500 mark.
1971: Banks' final home run comes Aug. 24 at Wrigley when he connects off the Reds' Jim McGlothin.
1971: Banks gets his final hit on Sept. 26, an RBI single in the first inning off the Phillies' Ken Reynolds that gives the Cubs a 1-0 lead. It is the Cubs' only run that day.
Sources: mlb.com, baseball-reference.com, baseball-almanac.com, Baseball Hall of Fame, Tribune reporting.
