The Second City Prepares To Say Goodbye to Mr. Cub

The details of the Home-going ceremonies and parade in honor of Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, are now set. And it appears that The Second City is prepared to send off its most beloved First Son of the baseball diamond in fine fashion.

The Saturday events will be held eight days after the beloved Hall of Famer died of a heart attack at age 83. They will include a memorial at Fourth Presbyterian Church and then a procession that will pass Mr. Banks’ statue in Daley Plaza and Wrigley Field.

I am thinking that this baseball-loving city by the lake is going to turn out, big-time.

Among those expected to speak during the church services are:

• Tom Ricketts, Chairman of the Chicago Cubs 
• Joe Torre, Chief Baseball Officer, representing MLB 
• Billy Williams and Ferguson Jenkins, Mr. Banks' Hall of Fame teammates 
• Lou Brock, Hall of Famer and Mr. Banks' one-time roommate 
• Bruce Rauner, Governor of Illinois and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel 
• The Rev. Jesse Jackson 
• John Rogers, Friend of Mr. Banks', and Jerry and Joey Banks, twin sons of the Hall of Famer

The fans of Mr. Banks, and baseball, will play a role, as well, thanks to the scheduled funeral parade. Because of the construction where the Wrigley Field bleachers used to stand, mourners are being prepared for detours in and around the legendary North Chicago ballpark. Guaranteed though, no matter the burden, Chicagoans will manage. Because Mr. Cub will pass that way -- along Waveband, Addison, Clark, Sheffield -- but one more time before joining the eternal All-Star game on high.