CLEVELAND — With the Cubs winning the National League pennant for the first time since 1945, this is the first time that Chicago has been in the World Series since Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color line in 1947.
Ernie Banks became the first African-American player for the Cubs in 1953, and went on to become the most beloved player in the team’s history. Mr. Cub died in 2015, but as Chicago’s current team breaks this particular barrier, Banks is present in their thinking.
“Ernie’s probably looking down at us right now with a smile on his face,” said Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler at World Series media day on Monday.