Evening star., 1963-03-12
SEGH AT LARGE
Banks Remains
Real optimist
BY MORRIS sIEcEL

MESA, ARIZ., Mar. l2-Among his teammates on the
Cubs Ernie Banks is regarded the incest Of guys and
not politician, which is the way he likes 1t.
Among the 9th ward voters In Chicago he also is
regarded the incest Of guys and not politician which
Is the way he doesn't like 1t.
The sluggng first sacker recently shot down by
I'll count in bid TO become an alderman. 1t was his
first venture into politics. and he says It his last
Immediately after his defeat there indication
that he might try for office again. but lower level
This seemed strange for TO an outsider 1t would appear
that the only thing in Chicago lower than an alderman
would be the ninth h-place Cubs
Ernie, who labels himself independent, conserva-
tive Republican, has been given the tag Of the Barry
Goldwater Of baseball.
~ REGARDLESS OF BANKS political pedigree he is
certainly one Of the worlds incurabe optimiss He's
been with the Cubs for nine full seasons all Of them
spent In the second division.
y Yet each spring he to Mesa feeling I'VE hon
esty have chance Of finishing in the first division
even Of winning the pennant"
1t would be interesting to have Banks spend season
with the Senator's who haven't the division for II
seasons They also could his bat which has ripped 335
homers In nine years, than Rogers Hornsby and
Johnny Mze hit in lifetime of National League residency
Being the unquestoned star in q cast Of otherwise
unknowns, hand-msdowns and unskled youngsters has
its compensaons for Banks. His pay past $4,000"
He thinks there Is good possibility" he'd be 100
grander the team were more respectable and drew more
fans. -
Phil wrigiey, the chewing gum king who owns the
Cubs could pay Banks 100000 now but, Banks him
self said 1T wouldn't be right considering the team"
49, f.9f.'
LIVING IN THE TENEMENT section for nine years
has its drawbacks too, despite the financial rewards
Banks feels the Cubs look to him for leadership "I feel
Iust deliver each time at the plate" he says uncom-
plainingly.
National League pitchers wish he wouldn't take him
self 80 seriously Last year the sixth time he's driven
nmore than 100 runs In However the last two
seasons have been Disappointing to the 80 year DID,
Texan-bOrn Negro #E%& ffMt
sslow start slow start" he complains. II feel
must lead and it takes me all spring to relax play
better when play naturally"
The untrackng process last season may have seemed
slow to Banks but the Cubs slower He found
the groove in time to slug 81 homers and drive in
104 runs.
THE CUBS unwound only enough to beat out the
Nets but even against Casey Sengels pates the Cubs
and Banks had to have help They split their ls-game
series Chicago wasn't fortunate against the leagues
other rookie franchise Houston The Colts failed to re-
spec Chcagos 51year seniority In the league and took
II Of the lS games.
IT know they say there's not as much pressure on a
team in the second division" Banks philosophical but
there the matter Of pride when you play the contend
ing teams You don't want them to clnch the pennant
against you" M 4f s.
In that respect the Cubs had successful season last
year. They lost % games to the Dodgers and Giants yet
escaped the embarrassment Of being the team that lost
the game in which the pennant was won That huilia
ton belonged to the Dodgers who s managed to finish
AN lengths in front of the Cubs
But that was last year. Now it's another season and
Banks again honestly feels have chance Of finish
ing in the first division, even winning the pennant"
With Las Vegas only an hours flight away Banks is
lucky he Is not betting man.