Minnie Minoso, Treasured White Sox Ballplayer, Is Dead

The New York Times ^ | March 1, 2015 | Richard Goldstein

[buckalfa]

" Ryne Duren, Ted Kluszewski, Rocky Colavito, Smokey Burgess, Elston Howard, and Joe Adcock."

Thank you for resurrecting cherished memories from my childhood. Your list is indeed a blue collar hall of fame. I would only add Wally Post. You seem to have a Redleg connection somewhere in your past.

[saltshaker]

In 1959 the White Sox won the American League pennant - sans Minoso. The Sox wanted Minoso back, and gave the Cleveland Indians Johnny Romano, Norm Cash, and Bubba Phillips.

While the Sox were stuck with the aging Sherman Lollar (C), they gave up a young Johnny Romano. And although the Sox received Minoso, they gave up an up and coming Norm Cash. Any baseball fan knows what Cash did.

The moral of the story - sure, an aging star can help in the final month or so of the season, but don’t give up the future for one.

As Branch Rickey said, “Trade a player one year too early rather than a year too late.”

[Charles Henrickson]

Minoso Led the league in being hit by pitches ten times. I wonder if that’s the all-time record?

Two words: Ron Hunt. Hunt made HBP an art form. I think Craig Biggio may have surpassed him, though, by virtue of longevity. Don Baylor would have to rank up there, too.

[Ditto]

"Ted Kluszewski"

He played in the first game my Dad took me to as a kid.

Fond memories.

I never saw Minnie play in person, but I know he was a good player who had a long career.

RIP Minnie.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Thank you for resurrecting cherished memories from my childhood. Your list is indeed a blue collar hall of fame. I would only add Wally Post. You seem to have a Redleg connection somewhere in your past."

Thank YOU for appreciating it. Two guys I left out were Carl Furillo and Andy Pafko.

[BluesDuke]

Two words: Ron Hunt. Hunt made HBP an art form. I think Craig Biggio may have surpassed him, though, by virtue of longevity. Don Baylor would have to rank up there, too.

On the all-time list, Minnie Minoso ranks ninth, Ron Hunt sixth, and Don Baylor fourth. Craig Biggio is second all time only to Hughie Jennings. Jennings also has the single-season HBP record (51); Hunt has the second most in a season at 50.

Ron Hunt led his league in HBP seven times; Craig Biggio, five; Don Baylor, seven as well; Hughie Jennings, five; Frank Crosetti (longtime Yankee shortstop) eight; but Minnie Minoso seems to have the record for most times leading his league in HBP with his ten.