St. Paul recorder., 1963-01-04
Ernie Banks To
Run For Chicago
Cify Council

slugging Chicago Cubs first base.
man, soon may be slugging it out
in the political arena, if current
plans materialize to have the pop.
ular baseball star run for a seat
on the City Council.
1t was disclosed recently that
Ernie had been approached and
has agreed to run for the alder
manic post against white Demo
cratic incumbent James Condor
in the Feb. 26 primary elections.
Contacted in Los Angeles, Ernie
admitted that he had been ap-
preached by a prominent Republi-
can leader and asked to run. He
said he agreed to accept the offer
after consulting with P. K. Wrig-
ley, Jr., president and owner of the
Cubs and with his wife, Eloyce.
He wanted to make sure, he
said, that entering politics would
not interfere with his baseball
playing. Ernie said Wngley not
only approved the suggestion but
thought it was a wonderful op-
portunity for him.
If he does become an aldermanic
candidate Banks, 81, would be re-
lying chiefly on his immense pop
ularity as a sports hero. He is ex-
tremely popular with the city's
youngsters, who may be able to
persuade their parents to support
him. Ernie also has a tremendous
adult fan following.
One thing would weigh heavily
in Ernie's favor. His popularity
cuts deeply across color lines,
making him the favorite Of Ne
groes and whites alike This would
be particularly advantageous in
the 9Th Ward race. There are 90
precincts in the ward, Al of which
are predominantly Negro. He
could win handily by carrying the
Negro precincts and a few of the
white ones.
Ernie still has a major hurdle
to cross, however. He has not yet
received the important endorse
ment of the wards committeeman
Michael J. Connolly. Connolly has
said that he will not endorse any
candidate until after the Feb. 26
primary. His endorsement then
could hardly help Banks.
Aldermanic candidates run on a
non-partisan ballot and if a can
didate polls a majority of all votes
cast in February, he is automati-
cally elected. Otherwise, the top
two candidates stage a runoff in
connection with the April mayor
al election.
Ernie would be the last to say
that he is a politician. However,
with his popularity he may not
have to be to win. The best thing
that could happen for him at the
polls would be for voting fans to
remember his heroics in Wrigley
Field.
Meanwhile, it appeared very
likely that he would toss his base
ball cap in the political ring.
II he does and is elected, he
would be the Councils second
sports hero. Now serving as alder
man of the 3rd Ward is Ralph
Metcalfe, former olympic champ
ion runner.
Since joining the Cubs straight
from the Kansas City Monarchs
team of the Negro American
League in 1853, Ernie has set all
sorts of Cubs and league records.
He won the National Leagues
most valuable player award in
1868 and 1859, led the league in
home runs with At in 1858 and Al
in 1860 and led in runs-batted-in
with 129 in 1858 and 143 in 1859.
Last year he clouted 81 homers
and drove in 104 runs.
He was the first Major Leagues
shortstop to hit more than 40 home
runs, accomplishing the fe at
twice. He has also hit more home
runs (335) than, any player in
Cub history.
Maybe he'll set another record,