Let's Play Two

Reviews / Votes

In this exuberant biography, Wilson (Pudge: The Biography of Carlton Fisk) takes an in-depth look at Ernie Banks (1931-2015), the beloved Chicago Cubs player whose trademark phrase "Let's play two" summed up his joy at playing the sport. Drawing from interviews with Banks's childhood friends and teammates, Wilson delivers a solid look at the Hall of Famer, who played his entire 19-season career for the Cubs and amassed 512 home runs. He takes readers from Banks's childhood in segregated Dallas of the 1940s through his early years as a member of the Negro League's Kansas City Monarchs ("Midwestern white fans had never before had cause to cheer for a black man"), and to Chicago, where Banks developed his genial "Mr. Cub" persona, which came out of his belief in the American Dream and in "hard work and patience, and being a good role model." In workmanlike prose, Wilson expertly chronicles Banks's development as a player, presenting a detailed look at how he was "one of the two best shortstops the game has even known," until a 1961 injury forced him to play first base for the rest of his career. This is an insightful look at the truth and the legend of the man forever known as "Mr. Cub." * Publishers Weekly * Wilson is a former college baseball player, a member of the Society for American Baseball Research, and the author of four previous books on baseball. He's a serious student of the game, a meticulous researcher, and a fine writer . . . Wilson provides details of Banks' North Dallas youth, his stint with the Kansas City Monarchs, and his emergence in the fifties as one of baseball's first Black stars . . . Wilson gets behind Banks' cheerful persona to reveal the man's deep-seated melancholy, again using interviews to bring out a complex personality. A well-constructed, empathetic biography. * Booklist * Born in 1931, Ernie Banks grew up in segregated North Dallas, Texas, in an area today known as the Dallas Arts district. A multisport star in school, Banks began his professional baseball career with the Kansas City Monarchs in the latter years of the Negro Leagues and in 1953 became the first African American to play for the Chicago Cubs. On his way to becoming "Mr. Cub," perhaps the most beloved player in franchise history, Banks was an 11-time all-star and twice earned the National League's "most valuable player" award during a 19-year career in the major league. Wilson, an independent baseball historian, supplemented his research by interviewing several people from all stages of Banks' life to assemble this excellent and comprehensive biography. Racial issues related to Banks and the Cubs are interwoven with coverage of the arc of Banks' career, including the tenure of Buck O'Neil as the first African American major league coach. The failure of the Cubs to reach the playoffs during Banks's career and his sometimes difficult post-career years are well covered. This book would be a welcome addition to most academic libraries. * Choice Reviews * When Doug Wilson writes about Ernie Banks it is done with care, admiration, research, and respect. . . . filled with sustenance, detail and documentation. The comments he includes of people who knew Banks enhances the storytelling of Let's Play Two. Yet Wilson's own words tell us much on the page. Very early in the book we get a detailed painting of Ernie Banks and not a quick photograph. . . . Wilson's insight into Ernie Banks also carries over into his excellent commentary about the Negro Baseball League [and] If one knows more about Willie Mays or Hank Aaron it's then essential to read Let's Play Two. * New York Journal of Books * The book is an insightful look at Ernie's entire life and career. It does more than just describe his accomplishments on the field; it also analyzes the importance of his career, with much emphasis on the history of the Cubs franchise. . . . A biography of Ernie Banks was long overdue, and thankfully Wilson filled the void with Let's Play Two. If you need something to do between Cubs games this spring, I would recommend picking up a copy of this book. * Wrigleyville Nation * Wilson skillfully provides his readers with a balance of insightful detail about Banks' playing days and personal life. . . . the detail with which Wilson masterfully depicts Banks will leave readers convinced that Banks was nothing other than a man who humbly appreciated every accomplishment he achieved in his lifetime. . . . Wilson's Ernie Banks comes alive in a way that allows readers to immerse themselves in his tremendous strength, agility, and talent that the man known as Mr. Cub always brought to the game. * Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine * Experienced baseball biographer Doug Wilson is like one of those dependable relief pitchers with two unhittable pitches and excellent control. He chooses interesting personalities such as Mark Fidrych, Brooks Robinson and Carleton Fisk for his biographies and researches his subjects extensively. His writing is also enlivened by an occasional surprise knuckleball of subtle humor. . . . Any reader wishing to spend a pleasant interlude in the company of one of baseball's genuine "nice guys" should pick up this book. * Lincoln Journal Star * Doug Wilson [has] channeled his passion for the sport to writing about the iconic players he admired in his youth . . . he not only read every interview he could find with Banks dating back to 1950 as well as endless newspaper accounts and books, he also was able to locate several friends from Banks's youth, including those who knew him when was 7 years old and another who played ball with him in high school. * The Times of Northwest Indiana * [Wilson] is particularly good at telling the tale of Banks's foray into politics. In 1962, Everett Dirksen, the powerful Republican senator from Illinois, urged Ernie to run for the Chicago city council. . . . Wilson points out, correctly, that Ernie embraced Booker T. Washington's outlook on race relations, one that prioritized patience and incremental change over militance. That approach irritated Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, and others inclined to stronger measures. One player told Sports Illustrated in 1969 that Banks couldn't be an Uncle Tom because he had "never been a Negro" in the first place. Others thought Banks was a coward who simply didn't want to bite the white hand that fed him. . . ."They think their way is the only way," lamented Ernie. "They don't understand my way. I believe in getting along with people, in setting a good example." * National Review * The baseball aspect of Banks' life is completely explored and brought to the reader in excellent detail. Any reader who is a Cubs fan, interested in baseball history or wants to learn more about "Mr. Cub" needs to add this to his or her library. It is a thoroughly enjoyable, easy read that should bring a smile to the reader as big as Ernie's. * The Guy Who Reviews Sports Books * Ernie Banks was one of the greatest and most colorful characters ever to play the game. However, Doug Wilson takes readers beyond his "Let's Play Two" persona to detail the full scope of Banks' life that had its share of ups, downs, and challenges. Cubs fans, baseball fans, will want to read this complete look at "Mr. Cub." -- Ed Sherman, long-time Chicago Tribune sportswriter Growing up in Hammond, Indiana, Ernie was my idol. How many kids was he the idol of back then? Thousands! But at one time he talked with me at our Little League Banquet. He autographed a program from our banquet that said, "I'll see you in the Big Leagues." Nine years later he welcomed me to the Big Leagues. Nine years later, he still remembered. How neat is that?! RIP, Mr. Cub! -- Darrel Chaney, World Series champion, Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves As I read this book it brought Ernie back to life. Playing next to Ernie for two years was one of the highlights of my career. -- Ransom Jackson Jr., two-time Major League Baseball All-Star, Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers