Mr. Sunshine: A heartfelt tribute to a Chicago Cubs legend
Dr. Matt Boente MD has received many recognitions for his work and writings as gynecologic oncologist. And one of his many accomplishments was receiving a $5 million SPORE grant to study ovarian cancer alongside his mentor at the time Robert F. Ozols MD, PhD. Dr. Ozols, Dr. Boente and their team which also included Robert C. Young were the first gynecologic cancer researchers to receive the prestigious grant.
During his free time, though, Dr. Matt Boente MD follows the progress of the Chicago Cubs, his favorite team in baseball. He also blogs about the team. For this blog, he pays tribute to one of the bright spots during the team’s dark era back in the mid-20th century – the beloved shortstop Ernie Banks.
Ernie Banks was a strong and incredibly talented kid, but he was also very raw. He joined the Kansas City Monarchs in the African American League in 1950 at the age of 19.
As a young player, he had raw talent. At 19 years of age, he debuted for Kansas City with the Monarchs of the African American league in 1950. However, the stint was short-lived as he joined the U.S. Army. After two years, he came back and discovered that the Monarchs had sold his contract to the Chicago Cubs.
Banks made his debut in a Cubs uniform on September 17, 1953. It was also the first time the organization had signed an African-American player. He would be a Cub for the next 18 years, until he retired in 1971.
Banks was an MVP twice, in 1958 and 1959. He was a great defensive shortstop and first baseman. He was also an exceptional batter, hitting 514 homers in his career. And as the consensus agrees, Mr. Sunshine as people knew Ernie Banks could very well be the greatest Cub of all-time, adds Dr. Matt Boente MD. “Let’s Play Two”
Dr. Matt Boente MD has always been intrigued by the rigorous process it takes to become a doctor. He is also fascinated with other healthcare-related topics like medical economics, health care reform, and medical-malpractice reform. To know more about Dr. Boente, click this link.
 |
Image source:
wordpress.com
|
 |
Image source:
nowitcounts.com
|
As a young player, he had raw talent. At 19 years of age, he debuted for Kansas City with the Monarchs of the African American league in 1950. However, the stint was short-lived as he joined the U.S. Army. After two years, he came back and discovered that the Monarchs had sold his contract to the Chicago Cubs.
Banks made his debut in a Cubs uniform on September 17, 1953. It was also the first time the organization had signed an African-American player. He would be a Cub for the next 18 years, until he retired in 1971.
Banks was an MVP twice, in 1958 and 1959. He was a great defensive shortstop and first baseman. He was also an exceptional batter, hitting 514 homers in his career. And as the consensus agrees, Mr. Sunshine as people knew Ernie Banks could very well be the greatest Cub of all-time, adds Dr. Matt Boente MD. “Let’s Play Two”
Dr. Matt Boente MD has always been intrigued by the rigorous process it takes to become a doctor. He is also fascinated with other healthcare-related topics like medical economics, health care reform, and medical-malpractice reform. To know more about Dr. Boente, click this link.
Comments
Post a Comment