Kiszla: Where’s Mr. Cub? Searching for the spirit of Ernie Banks at the World Series

CHICAGO— With the Cubs in a world of trouble at the World Series and Wrigleyville wringing hands in angst, there was only one thing to do: Go ask Ernie Banks for help. I sat down on the grass next to him in Graceland Cemetery. I talked. He listened.

Next year is finally here for the Cubs. How could Chicago go to the World Series without Mr. Cub?

Banks died last year at age 83. So I went searching for him Saturday, looking for a reminder why I fell in love with baseball as a child, wanting to believe a sports hero is something more than a folly of youth.

“Can I help you?” asked Diane Lanigan, unlocking her office door at Graceland Cemetery, less than a mile up North Clark Street from home plate at Wrigley Field.

“I’m looking for Ernie Banks,” I replied.

“Thought that might be what you wanted,” said Lanigan, laughing. “Everybody who has come by here during the World Series is either looking for Mr. Banks or the bathroom.”

http://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/29/kiszla-wheres-mr-cub-searching-for-the-spirit-ernie-banks-world-series/