When Ernie Banks' name is bellowed out by the public address announcer, the Washington Wild Things' first baseman is often greeted by cries of "Let's play two" or "Hall of Famer."

While Banks, a native of Chesapeake, Va., is no relation to the Chicago Cubs great with the same name, his hitting statistics with the Wild Things would no doubt bring approval from "Mr. Cub."

Heading into last night's action, Banks was leading the Wild Things (17-26) in batting average at .362 (34 for 93) and was third in home runs with seven, even though he has missed 17 games because of an injury and a 14-game suspension after being ejected from two games in a three-day span by umpires for arguing.

While Banks has been doing his hitting damage light years away from the major leagues, where Chicago's Ernie Banks collected 512 home runs during an 18-year career (1953-1971) and was loved for his sunny personality, Washington's first baseman does still harbor dreams of someday making it to the big leagues.

Perhaps he has reason to dream.

A 6-foot-4, 250-pound right-handed hitter, Banks batted .300 or better in two seasons of affiliated minor-league ball in the Florida Marlins' organization, hitting .324 (21 for 74) for the Marlins' Rookie League team in 2007 and .300 (73 for 243) with a team-record 51 RBIs last season for Jamestown (N.Y.) in the short-season Class A New York-Penn League.

Despite the good numbers, the Marlins released Banks, a 44th-round selection in the 2007 draft out of Norfolk State University, in early April. Just a few days later, he was picked up by the Wild Things, an independent minor-league team who play in the 12-team Frontier League.

"At first, when the Wild Things called me, I thought the team was in Washington state," said Banks, 23. "I thought 'Wow, that's a long way away.' Then, I found out they were the Washington, Pa., Wild Things, and that sounded a lot better."

For the Wild Things, acquiring a proven player named Ernie Banks had a nice sound to it from the beginning.

"Sometimes [in affiliated ball] it's a numbers game," said Washington manager Mark Mason. "I think the Marlins' organization wanted to keep Ernie, but they also needed to get new guys more at-bats.

"The Marlins told me they hated to part with his bat. They said he was a great guy, a fan favorite. What he does well is hit. He hits well to all fields. He has power."

Of getting released by the Marlins' organization after two solid seasons at the plate, Banks said, "I was shocked. But, I didn't cry or get mad. It's a business. I just packed my stuff and left. People work 20 years and the boss lets them go. I was there two years and they wanted me to go. It is what it is."

So far, Banks' stay with the Wild Things has had some bumps in the road. After his two ejections from games for arguing, it was the Wild Things -- not the Frontier League -- that suspended him for 14 games.

Wild Things general manager Ross Vecchio said the suspension was given for "disciplinary reasons" and "for violating some team policies."

Vecchio added that since his return on June 27, Banks, who bats out of the No. 4 spot in the lineup, has been "a model citizen. We expect him to be an integral part of the middle of our lineup."

So does Mason, the Wild Things' first-year manager.

"When Ernie comes to bat, the potential is there for the ball to leave the yard to every field, including dead center," said Mason. "He hits the ball hard. Even singles and doubles are hit hard."

Long-ball skills and hard hitting was something the Chicago Cubs' Ernie Banks was also famous for. It led to the shortstop/first baseman being a two-time National League MVP (1958 and 1959), an 11-time all-star and a Hall of Famer (Class of 1977).

That's why when fans start some good-natured heckling about the Washington Wild Things' first baseman's name, the 23-year-old Ernie Banks usually smiles or laughs with them even though he's heard the same remarks numerous times.

The Chicago Cubs' Ernie Banks, now 78, was a magical name in major league baseball almost four decades ago.

The Wild Things' Ernie Banks would like nothing better than to bring the name back to the majors. He faces a long road with very long odds, but he maintains flickering hopes.

"I know I can hit a baseball. I feel I can play in the big leagues. I need to be given a chance," said Banks.