Fun to watch and a great player. Too bad he was stuck in Chicago. In New York, he would have been a baseball god.

You gotta love Mr. Cub.

Ernie won MVP honors after leading the National League in RBI's from 1958-1959. In 1960 he led the senior circuit in home runs while also winning his first Gold Glove award. Eleven years later, he became the first Cub ever to have his number retired.

Amazing player.

Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs (1953 - 1971) hit 512 career homers with more than 40 in a season five times. Had record five grand-slams in 1955. First to be elected N.L. Most Valuable PLAYER TWO SUCCESSIVE YEARS, 1958 - 1959. Led League in home runs and runs batted in twice and Slugging PCT. Once established records for most homers in a season by a shortstop (47 in 1958 and for fewest errors (12) and best fielding average (.985) by a shortstop in 1959.

Growing up in the Chicagoland area,I had the good fortune of seeing him play every day either in person or on WGN. I followed his career as it progressed. One of the greatest EVER!!! Deverves this ranking. PERIOD!!

The last 12 years of his career were basically throwaway years.. I'm not sure his career up until 1960 was enough to make him an all time great.

Great ball player but not 16th all time

My favorite player of all time. Exuded a rare, genuine enthusiasm for the game combined with superior skills.

Lets play two!

I'm rating him for sentimental reasons. My Dad took me to my first baseball game when I was only 10. It was in Chicago and they had Ernie Banks Day that day, and gave him a new convertible. As usual, the Cubs lost, but it was a privilege to watch him play.

One of the most gifted and versatile players of his era (I think he wound up around 500 HRs, and spent most of his career at short). More than that, he's the personification of the Cubbies -- full of enthusiasm and class. He'd say "let's play 2!" even though the Cubs were likely to lose them both!