White Sox mourn loss of Minnie Minoso at 90
"Last night, I (wasn't) able to sleep at all. I don't know what happened. I was thinking something happened to me. I was saying to myself, "I'm not ready yet.' I said, 'Ernie I'm going to be playing for you.' But I said to myself, 'I'm not ready to go.'"
That was Orestes "Minnie" Minoso speaking at SoxFest on Jan. 24, mourning the death of close friend and fellow Chicago baseball icon Ernie Banks, who passed away at the age of 83.
Early Sunday morning, Minoso died in Chicago. He was 90.
A star player for the White Sox from 1951-57, 1960-61, '64, '76 and '80, Minoso was a regular at U.S. Cellular Field through the 2014 season, mingling with fans as a popular team ambassador.
Minoso became the first black player in White Sox history on May 1, 1951. Born in Cuba, he was also baseball's first black Latin star and a seven-time all-star.
"Our organization and our city have suffered a heartbreaking loss today," Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "We have lost our dear friend and a great man. Many tears are falling."
The White Sox retired Minoso's uniform No. 9 in 1983. In 2004, he was honored with a statue on the Cell's outfield concourse.
Minoso played in 1,835 career games over 17 major-league seasons with Cleveland, the White Sox, St. Louis (1962) and Washington (1963), batting .298 with 336 doubles, 83 triples, 186 home runs, 1,023 RBI, 1,136 runs scored and 205 stolen bases.
He was named the 1951 American League Rookie of the Year, finished in the Top 5 in AL MVP voting four times and won three Gold Gloves.
Despite the impressive resume, Minoso never made it to the Hall of Fame. In December, he fell 4 votes shy of induction to Cooperstown on the Golden Era ballot.
"When you talk about the top players in the American League in the 1950s, you talk about Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle and Minnie Minoso," Reinsdorf said.
Minoso was proud of his roots and he helped the Sox sign Cuban players such as Jose Abreu, Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo.
Minoso was at the Cell when Abreu signed with the White Sox before the 2014 season.
"I just told him how this is the best organization in the league," Minoso said. "He might have somebody say they're better than White Sox, but nobody is. We're the best from the ground to up there."
Minoso leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Sharon, sons Orestes Jr. and Charlie, and daughters Marilyn and Cecilia.
Funeral service details are still pending. Although earlier reports listed Minoso's age at 80 and 92, White Sox officials later said he was 90.
"I am saddened by the news of Minnie's passing but when I think of him, laughter and joy come to mind," executive vice president Ken Williams said in a statement. "He was just that way. I only wish he would have lived long enough to see his plaque go up in Cooperstown. He will be missed."
• Scot Gregor will have more on Minoso's life and career in Monday's Daily Herald. Follow Scot's White Sox and baseball reports on Twitter@scotgregor.
Minnie to the max
Here's a by-the-numbers look at the career of White Sox great Minnie Minoso:
9: His jersey number with the White Sox was retired in 1983, and a sculpture was dedicated in 2004.
90: His age when he died, although earlier reports from the White Sox and other sources had him listed as young as 89 and as old as 92.
1: On May 1, 1951, Minoso had his first at-bat for the White Sox and hit a home run.
7: All-Star Game appearances
.298: His batting average ranks second among all all Cuban-born players in baseball history.
1,835: MLB games he played in his career.
17: Seasons he played with Cleveland (1949, '51, '58-59), the White Sox (1951-57, '60-61, '64, '76, '80), St. Louis (1962) and Washington (1963).
1,963: Hits he had in 6,579 at-bats, which included 336 doubles, 83 triples, 186 home runs, 1,023 RBI, 1,136 runs scored and 205 stolen bases.
3: Gold Glove awards for fielding.
1: American League Rookie of the Year award in 1951.
4: Time he finished in the Top 5 of the AL MVP.
10: He led the American League in hit-by-pitches 10 times during an 11-year span from 1951-61, and ranks ninth all-time in HBP (145).
8: Times he eclipsed the .300 average mark during his career.
.397: His career on-base percentage ranks fourth among all White Sox players.
808: His RBI with the White Sox ranks fifth in team history.