"Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks has died at 83, just days before his 84th birthday.
Banks' wife, Liz, confirmed the news to the Chicago Tribune.
A 19-year-old Banks debuted for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues in 1950. After a two-year stint in the Army, Banks returned to the Monarchs, who sold his contract to the Chicago Cubs in 1953.
Banks made his debut for the Cubs in 1953, as the team's first black player. He played in 11 All-Star Games, hit more than 500 home runs and was the first National League player to win back-to-back MVP honors. He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, his first year eligible.
Banks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor awarded to civilians in the United States, by President Barack Obama in 2013.
