After years of pelting Waveland Avenue with long balls, uttering "Let's play two!" at every turn and later entertaining the faithful of Wrigley Field merely by his presence, the Hall of Fame slugger passed away at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

"Words cannot express how important Ernie Banks will always be to the Chicago Cubs, the city of Chicago and Major League Baseball," Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a release. "He was one of the greatest players of all time. He was a pioneer in the Major Leagues. And more importantly, he was the warmest and most sincere person I've ever known.

"Approachable, ever optimistic and kind hearted, Ernie Banks is and always will be Mr. Cub. My family and I grieve the loss of such a great and good-hearted man, but we look forward to celebrating Ernie's life in the days ahead."

The first black player in Cubs history stands as the franchise's all-time leader in games and extra-base hits and as the runner-up -- to Sammy Sosa -- in home runs. Forty-four years after his retirement, Banks holds franchise records for hits, intentional walks and sacrifice flies and in RBIs since 1900. He likely holds club records for smiles and handshakes as well.