This Day In History: Today, we celebrate three MLB legends born on January 31. 
MLB
Ernie Banks (1931 | posthumous) – 14 All-Star Games in 11 seasons, seven-year peak bWAR of 52.1, So beloved on the North Side that he was known as Mr. Cub, Banks was the first back-to-back NL MVP winner (1958-59) and his five 40-homer seasons at shortstop are surpassed only by Alex Rodriguez’s six.
Jackie Robinson (1919 | posthumous) – In 2008 the Hall of Fame unveiled a new plaque to acknowledge his history: In 1947 he integrated the modern Major Leagues, won NL Rookie of the Year, and two years later was named NL MVP. His 10 seasons with the Dodgers included six National League pennants, and six World Series appearances winning it in 1955. In 1987, the 40th anniversary of Robinson’s debut, the BBWAA renamed the Rookie of the Year Award in his honor. And in ’97, to mark the 50th anniversary, MLB retired his number across the game. April 15, is now known as Jackie Robinson Day.
Nolan Ryan (1947) – “The Express” leads all Jan. 31 players in bWAR (81.3) in part because his 27 seasons in the Majors is the most by any pitcher in AL/NL history. He led his league in strikeouts 11 times, and in walks eight times. He also allowed the fewest hits per nine innings (among starters) 12 times, and he’s the career leader in all three categories with 5,714 K’s, 2,795 BB and 6.6 H/9. Ryan was the first player to suit up for MLB’s first four expansion teams (the Mets, Angels, Astros and Senators/Rangers), and he joins Frank Robinson as the only players to have their numbers retired by three teams.