Tribute to a Hero

I remember as budding pre-adolescent entrepreneurs, my friends and I “hustled pop bottles”. We would go from house to house in my Chicago South side neighborhood of Chatham, knocking on doors, asking the residents if they had any empty pop (soda) bottles that we could resell for about a nickel a piece.

Nowadays, that doesn’t seem like much. But in the early 60’s we could hustle a couple of dollars apiece and that could buy plenty of candy. We took a chance knocking on strange doors so for protection, we always hustled in numbers.

Behind some doors were irate neighbors who met us with vociferous epithets (cussed us out), warning us to never come back. Behind other doors, we met kind adults who appreciated our work ethics especially at such a young age. They also could get rid of old pop bottles. A definite win win for all of us.

One very kind, generous neighbor who is forever etched in my memory is Ernie Banks. At that time Mr. Banks anchored the Chicago Cubs on his way to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He finished his career with 512 home runs and played in 14 All Star games. He always opened his door with a smile and words of encouragement for us. He never exhibited a super star mentality or any irritation towards us for interrupting his busy life.

My great Aunt Bottie adored Ernie Banks. She and I watched daytime Cub games and she would scream “go Ernie” every time he came to bat. And he usually rewarded her enthusiasm with a timely hit or home run.

I'll never forget how, with all his fame, Mr. Banks always opened his door to us wide-eyed kids, trying to make a few nickles.

Our neighborhood contained baseball Hall of Famers, Doctors, Lawyers, Educators, Pimps, Hustlers and Blue Collar workers. Segregation kept most Blacks contained in the same neighborhoods regardless of their station in life. A few years later, the Civil Rights struggle that changed legislation, opened the opportunity for many middle class families to seek "greener pastures”. This left a huge void in once thriving neighborhoods, that now are mere shadows of their past glory. That’s another lesson for another blog.

What resonated with me then and now is the loving kindness of a genuine super star with a servant’s heart. And he lived right down the street!

RIP Ernie Banks (“Mr Cub”) January 31,1931-January 23, 2015