Despite big ticket acquisitions like Jon Lester and Jeff Samardzija on both sides of town, this has been a hard winter for Chicago baseball fans. First, Ernie Banks (aka “Mr. Cub”) died, and now Chicago White Sox legend Minnie Minoso has passed away at the age of 90.
Born in Cuba, Minoso broke the color barrier in Chicago baseball 1951 after a brief time playing in the Negro Leagues. Minoso would leave Chicago after the 1957 season, but he would come back to the White Sox for four more stints; including brief cameos in the 1976 and 1980 season at the age of 50 and 54.
More than the Julio Franco of his time, Minoso carved out an iconic career that included eight All-Star selections, three Gold Glove awards, three straight AL stolen base crowns from 1951-1953, four 100-RBI seasons, and a .298 lifetime batting average.
Minoso had hoped to one day earn enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame for his achievements on and off the field, but while a posthumous honor is still possible, he spoke out recently about why he didn’t want that.
“Don’t tell me that maybe I’ll get in after I pass away. I don’t want it to happen after I pass. I want it while I’m here, because I want to enjoy it.”
Despite his lack of a plaque in Cooperstown, Minoso’s impact on the game and on those that have followed him is beyond impressive.
The Sox eventually retired his No. 9. However, Minoso’s appeal went beyond Chicago. He was regarded as the first Latin American superstar, inspiring young players from the region who dreamed of joining him in the big leagues.
“Orestes Minoso was the Jackie Robinson for all Latinos; the first star who opened doors for all Latin American players,” said Puerto Rican native and future Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda. “He was everybody’s hero. I wanted to be Minoso. (Roberto) Clemente wanted to be Minoso.” [Via]
The Chicago White Sox of today are lead by Jose Abreu, another Cuban-born slugger who could one day earn his own statue outside of Cellular Field right next to Minnie Minoso’s if he’s able to replicate the awesome success that he had last year as the AL Rookie of the Year. Abreu is one of many players who have come from Cuba over the last few years, finding great riches and success. One hopes that today’s players and fans appreciate the part that Minoso played in making baseball more diverse and therefore better.
Minnie Minoso is survived by his wife and four children.
(Source: Chicago Tribune)
