This past Friday, legendary Chicago Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks passed away in Chicago. He was 83 years old. According to the New York Times, his death was announced by Major League Baseball and the Cubs, who did not give a cause. His longtime teammate Billy Williams said that Banks had fallen a month ago, but did not give further details.

USA Today reports that Banks was best known for his "let's play two" phrase that epitomized the joy and optimism he felt for the game and brought to Wrigley Field. His enthusiasm and skill led him to become an 11-time All-Star and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and he won consecutive National League MVP awards in 1958-59.

 In 2013, Banks received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama, alongside former President Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and others. He said of the experience, "I handed the president a bat that belonged to Jackie Robinson... The president held the bat in his hands - that was a thrill."

At the time, Obama hailed Banks' belief that the Cubs would someday go all the way, joking, "And that's serious belief... That is something that even a White Sox fan like me can respect."

In a statement released early on Saturday, the Obama family said, "Michelle and I send our condolences to the family of Ernie Banks, and to every Chicagoan and baseball fan who loved him. Ernie came up through the Negro Leagues, making $7 a day. He became the first African-American to play for the Chicago Cubs, and the first number the team retired...

Along the way, he became known as much for his 512 home runs and back-to-back National League MVPs as for his cheer, his optimism, and his love of the game. As a Hall-of-Famer, Ernie was an incredible ambassador for baseball, and for the city of Chicago. He was beloved by baseball fans everywhere, including Michelle, who, when she was a girl, used to sit with her dad and watch him play on TV.

Somewhere, the sun is shining, the air is fresh, his team's behind him, and Mr. Class - 'Mr. Cub' - is ready to play two."