Finally completed my Ernie Banks run 1954-1971 - Scan heavy!

[swish54_99]

Got the last card I needed today, so thought I'd share the run with everyone. I think....hopefully...that I have them all, even included the OPC (still need '71) and Venezuelans (still need 60/64/67). Those non-USA ones are so few and far between that I'll just add those when I can, since I don't know when the next one will pop up for sale.

A little back story for why Banks. I have been a huge Cub fan for 35 years. I've met him a couple of different times before he passed and he was truly an amazing human being. He would take the time to talk to every single fan he could. During one signing, when it was my turn, he talked to me for about 5 minutes about my job...while the couple of hundred people behind me waited for their turn. He just was dumbfounded (in a good way) that I am a stay-at-home dad and took care of the kids without the help of a nanny while my wife worked all day. While I was telling him about it, he said "wait a minute, I want to stand up and shake your hand young man." But that's just who he was, he wanted to treat you like a friend. When he was done, he signed my ball and even added 2 inscriptions for free without me asking...HOF'77 and Mr Cub. For those of you who have been to a signing, especially a paid one, you know that inscriptions usually don't get added for free....let alone 2 inscriptions.



I also have these two 8x10's I got at other signings.



I started out buying his rookie card about 6-8 years ago. I had maybe another one or two cards of his when I had that experience I mentioned above but wasn't actively trying to get as many as I could. I decided that I've already got the most expensive one out of the way, why not try for all the others. As you can see, I tried going for nice looking mid-grade examples...especially the older ones.


1954 Topps PSA 4 RC
1955 Bowman PSA 4
1955 Topps PSA 5
1956 Topps Grey Back PSA 4
1956 Topps White Back PSA 5
1957 Topps PSA 4

 

[swish54_99]

1958 Topps SGC 4.5
1958 Topps AS PSA 5
1959 Topps AS PSA 6
1959 Topps Clubhouse Clubbers PSA 6
1959 Venezuelan Clubhouse Clubbers SGC 2
1959 Topps PSA 7
1959 Topps Hustler Banks Wins MVP PSA 6.5
1959 Topps Hustler Banks Wins MVP Buyback
1960 Topps AS PSA 5
1960 Topps PSA 6

 

[swish54_99]

1961 Topps NL HR Leaders PSA 6
1961 Topps AS PSA 6
1961 Topps MVP PSA 6
1961 Topps PSA 6
1962 Topps PSA 5
1962 Venezuelan
1963 Topps Power Plus PSA 6
1963 Topps PSA 7
1963 Topps NL HR Leaders PSA 6
1964 Topps PSA 6

 

[swish54_99]

1965 Topps PSA 5
1966 OPC PSA 5
1966 Venezuelan PSA 1
1966 Topps PSA 6
1967 Topps PSA 6
1968 Topps PSA 6
1968 Venezuelan
1969 OPC PSA 5
1969 Topps PSA 7

 

[swish54_99]

1969 Topps NL HR Leaders PSA 7
1969 OPC NL HR Leaders
1970 Topps PSA 5
1971 Topps PSA 6

 

[Dazed]

That's Incredible!!! Congrats!

 

[deaconblues63]

I enjoyed seeing this. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

 

[dano7]

Very, Very, nice!!!!!

 

[finestkind]

Nice !

 

[mrmopar]

Who?

Just kidding, very nice. Aside from the RC, I think he was always a little under appreciated as a HOF player in the hobby world.

 

[swish54_99]

Who?

Just kidding, very nice. Aside from the RC, I think he was always a little under appreciated as a HOF player in the hobby world.

I agree. 500 HR club, back-to-back MVP's (as a shortstop), 14x AS, GG. Actually, he had his best seasons as a SS in a time when SS was a week position. I'm sure being on some bad Cubs teams for most of his career doesn't help in the hobbies perception.

 

[nevermore]

Nice collection, thanks for sharing the cards and story.

Love his 1969 Topps pose with the Cubs sleeve patch.

By 1970 seems he was transitioning to a golf swing lol.

 

[gracecollector]

Congrats! This is a project I could see myself undertaking. I like your selection of affordable grades but great looking cards. Nice eye.

 

[delsant2]

Very cool, congrats on that accomplishment! And neat story about the signing, he sounds like a swell person, I really wish more people who are considered role models would act the same way. Also have to mention, I love that trifecta in 1966!

Do you plan to grade the raw cards?

 

[swish54_99]

Very cool, congrats on that accomplishment! And neat story about the signing, he sounds like a swell person, I really wish more people who are considered role models would act the same way. Also have to mention, I love that trifecta in 1966!

Do you plan to grade the raw cards?

Yes, I do plan on getting the raw ones graded. I like PSA and am waiting for them to open back up with specials....so who knows when that'll actually be. Not sure if I'll end up crossing over the few SGC's or not.

 

[delsant2]

Yes, I do plan on getting the raw ones graded. I like PSA and am waiting for them to open back up with specials....so who knows when that'll actually be. Not sure if I'll end up crossing over the few SGC's or not.

Very nice, good luck with the grades....when things start to get back to normal. Fingers crossed for decent ones!