May 22, 2007 3:02 PM EST

For 19 years, shortstop Ernie Banks was a fixture at Wrigley Field. Now, the Cubs will make sure "Mr. Cub" will always be there to greet fans.

The Cubs announced Tuesday that it will honor Banks, a Hall of Famer, with a statue to be erected at Wrigley by Opening Day of next year.

"This is richly deserved for Ernie Banks and it is a great way to honor 'Mr. Cub,'" team president John McDonough said. "The statue will help immortalize someone who continues to have a tremendous impact on the Cubs and its fans, just as he did while he was on the playing field."

Via ESPN.com