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Cubs honor Ernie Banks with photo tarp over unfinished bleachers

The Chicago Cubs are honoring Ernie Banks with a large photo tarp in the unfinished Wrigley Field bleachers during the team's season opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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The Chicago Cubs are honoring Ernie Banks with a large photo tarp in the unfinished Wrigley Field bleachers during the team's season opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Banks died in January at the age of 83. During his playing days, he won two NL MVP Awards and earned the nickname "Mr. Cub."

Last month the Cubs announced the team would hold several tributes to Banks during Sunday’s game. Along with the tarp, the team will hold a pregame ceremony and his sons will throw out the first pitch and lead the seventh inning stretch.

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The bleachers are not ready for the home opener because of delays in off-season renovations due to the record cold temperatures in Chicago this winter. The left and centerfield bleachers are expected to open May 11, and the rightfield bleachers will likely be delayed until early June.

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The Cubs host the Cardinals in the first game of the MLB season at 8:05 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and will be the first-ever night home opener in team history.

- Sarah Barshop