Just because someone is king of his craft doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop learning, and for one of sports’ most respected and successful individuals, learning is something that never ceases.
At the sixth annual Don Meyer Evening of Excellence, Baseball Hall of Famer and legendary Chicago Cub Ernie Banks taught all in attendance at Allen Arena the values of the learning process.
“I’m just a learning person,” Banks said.
As a part of the event, attendees got the chance to learn a little bit about Banks’ past, hear about his interactions with some of baseball’s great players and take to heart some of the wisdom he shared in a conversation with Jonathan Seamon.
Banks, 83, is one of baseball’s most admired individuals. An icon in Wrigley Field on Chicago’s north side, the man beloved as “Mr. Cub” has amassed a large number of honors.
Not only is he a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. His Cubs’ jersey number was retired and there’s a statue in his honor at Wrigley Field. He’s also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – an award given him by President Barack Obama, another well-known Chicagoan, in 2013.
Banks shared ballfields with such baseball legends as Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Ron Santo and Roberto Clemente.
Banks shared an anecdote about a time he encountered the legendary Robinson during a time out at the plate. The two met, and Robinson offered him sage words that impacted Banks – the importance of being silent and learning.
“That’s what Jackie [Robinson] told me, you know, ‘just listen and learn,’ and that’s what I did,” Banks said.
“For the young people today, that’s an important thing,” Banks said. “If you learn to listen, you can learn more.
“I just learned as I went along in baseball. It’s amazing to me to learn all the things I had to learn. When I came to the Major Leagues, you have to learn a lot of stuff, and that’s the same way it is in business and in life. You have to learn a lot of stuff.”
In fact, Banks said the reason he played baseball was to give his children college educations.
As Cubs fans painfully know, Banks never got the chance to play in the World Series. The closest he got was in 1969, when the Cubs seemed to be on track to win the National League East, only to fall apart in September, perhaps the most notable season-ending swoon in sports history.
Banks doesn’t let his career or life be defined by the “Ws” in the won-lost column.
“But the World Series got past me because winning is not everything,” Banks said. “Making friends is greater to me. Making a friend is greater than winning to me.”
Former Lipscomb coaching legend Meyer also spoke to the importance of caring for others, citing Jesus’ prayers. Meyer said he believes that Jesus prayed for everyone, regardless of who they were.
“[Jesus] loved everybody,” Meyer said. “You don’t have to like everybody, but one of the rules is you’ve got to love everybody, and if you love people enough to pray for them, you’re probably not going to waste your time having them be an enemy. He’ll be a friend.”
On the stage, two lockers were placed side-by-side, each with a jersey with the night’s prominent members, a Cubs jersey for Banks and a Lipscomb jersey for Meyer. Both had the number 14 on them, as that was a number that graced both Banks and Meyer’s jerseys during their time playing baseball.
Banks had a very positive take on the legendary Meyer (as did Meyer of Banks).
“This man is brilliant,” Banks said. “He knows so much about coaching.
“He’s really an amazing man.”
“Mr. Cub” said he loved learning from the members of the Lipscomb community he met while on campus.
“I learn from [Coach Meyer], but I learn from all of you who came through the line about something in your lives that interests me, and that’s the way I am.”
Banks joins a group of evening speakers that includes Meyer, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, since-failed NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens (then at Butler University) and Duck Dynasty stars Miss Kay, Phil and Si Robertson.
James R. Byers Award given to three athletes
At the event, three of Lipscomb’s premiere athletes were given the prestigious James R. Byers Award.
Volleyball’s Caitlin Dotson and cross country/track & field’s Tessa Hoefle tied for the female award, and track & field’s Tucker Peabody was awarded the male award.
Lipscomb athletic director Philip Hutcheson commented on the successful year that the department has had, citing the year’s motto of “Our Team” as a unifier for the community.
“Coach [Meyer] was about team, and we want to celebrate what’s happening with our team this year,” Hutcheson said.
“We made a big point about talking about ‘our team’ this year, and that means that every player, every coach, every person that works at this university, every student rises and falls with our team, and we’ve had a fantastic year, and we want to celebrate some of that.”
Carousel photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics. Jerseys photo from the author.