1974
It was a small trade, but one that the White Sox undoubtedly won and sent a shortstop Eddie Leon to the Yankees for savior Cecil Upshaw. Upshaw only pitched one season on the South Side, but he had a solid late role for the club, finishing 15 of his 29 games with a save, with a 3.23 ERA and 0.8 WAR. Leon, on the other hand, played in just one inning in New York, as a defensive replacement, with no official at-bats.
Both players were out of the majors in 1976.
1977
Please report this to the White Sox owner Bill Veeck.
Knowing he needed a draft card and a big bat to replace Richie Zisk And Oscar GambleVeeck shared future All-Star Brian Downing and jars Chris Handsome And Dave Frost to California. He came back Bobby Bonds and two young people, Thad Bosley And Richard Dotson. Bonds played in just 26 games for the White Sox, with two home runs and eight RBIs, before being transferred to Texas in May. Chicago’s record at the time was a dismal 9-20, and Veeck understood that there was no way he could re-sign Bonds as a free agent after the 1978 season.
Dotson certainly proved valuable in the 1980s, winning by double figures six times, led by a 22-7 year in 1983. He also made the All-Star team in 1984.
1986
The Illinois General Assembly has passed legislation allowing money to be given to the White Sox in connection with the construction of a new stadium across the street from the original Comiskey Park.
2021
It took a while, but he finally got his way: Minnie Minoso was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Golden Days Era Committee. Miñoso, who had been rejected nearly twenty times before, received 14 votes from the 16-member board.
Minnie was a six-time All-Star representing the White Sox and was also a two-time Gold Glove winner in left field for Chicago. He broke the color barrier for the first White Sox when he suited up for the team on May 1, 1951 – and homered in his first at bat against the Yankees Vic Rashi.
Miñoso led the American League in triples and stolen bases three times apiece, was named The Sporting News AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and finished better than .300 seven times for the White Sox.
His impact was felt for generations, as he was the first Latin player to make it big in Major League Baseball. Minnie was named by players who followed in his footsteps, including greats such as Roberto Clemente, Tony Pérez, Luis Tiant and Orlando Cepeda.
2024
The 1971 American League home run champion and an All-Star who later became an honest analyst on the White Sox pre- and postgame shows, Bill Meltondied at the age of 79 in Phoenix after a short illness.
Melton spent six full years and two partial years with the club, starting in 1968. He became the first Sox player to hit 30 or more home runs in a season when he did so in 1970 – and followed with 33 the next year.
Melton’s three home runs in the final two games of that season earned him the AL crown over former Sox player Standard cash and Reggie Jackson.
During his time on the South Side, “Beltin’ Bill” hit 154 home runs and drove in 535 runs. In four seasons he had at least 86 RBIs. Melton was the franchise’s all-time home run leader starting in 1974 Minnie Minoso) until 1987 (over Harold Baines).
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