My brother (then 10) and I (13) were fortunate to be taken to the 1961 All-Star game in Boston. At that time, most of the teams stayed at the Kenmore Hotel and would interact with the fans. That was the case at the All-Star game. My brother and I, along with many other fans, were standing by an elevator hoping to see some ballplayers. When Ernie Banks stepped into the lobby, he wore a huge smile and gladly signed many autographs. He then said that he had to go back upstairs but promised my brother, who was next in line, that he would give him his autograph first. True to his word, Ernie did come back down, pointed to my brother, and said, “You were next” and gave my brother his autograph.
I have seen hundreds of ballgames, but the class and kindness Ernie showed that day meant more to me as a fan than any game I attended. I wish more of today’s players could follow his example.
— Michael Patashnick, Springfield, Mass.
