The streak of bad news for Chicago sports continued this Sunday. Yes, Jimmy Butler got hurt and is ready for an MRI on his hyper extended elbow for the Hard Luck Bulls, but there was worse news than that. We lost another all-time great baseball player in the city of Chicago. Minnie Minoso joined Ernie Banks on that ultimate Field of Dreams, passing away at the age of 89… or 90 according to the White Sox.
Like a lot of Cuban players in the MLB, his age was a question. What was not a question, was his talent. I always wonder who the greatest White Sox player of all time is: this guy has to be in the conversation. Another player that I never got to watch play, was nicknamed “Mr White Sox”. I was actually lucky enough to meet him one day… he was a real humble, down to earth, nice guy. It’s always cool to meet someone who is legendary, and doesn’t act like it. It’s refreshing and makes me believe that there ARE true heroes on our teams… even today.
The only player to play professional baseball in 7 decades, most recently played for the St. Paul Saints of the Independent League in 2003. He held a .298 career batting average, was voted to 9 all star games, and won 3 gold gloves. His #9 is retired by the Sox, and his statue stands outside US Cellular. Like Ernie Banks, he was known for his off the field actions as much as his on the field performance. We lost another great one: as great a person as he was a player.
He blazed the trail for Cuban players in the MLB, being the earliest, most well known native Cuban to do it. Just think of all the Cuban players that played for the Sox since then, and still do. Jose Abreu for starters… I guess in his one year here, he met Minoso and he had a profound impact on him. So much so, he is refusing to speak to any reporters at the break of this news. Alexei Ramirez, Dayan Viciedo, and Jose Contreras come to mind as Cuban White Sox players. Contreras played a huge part in bringing that World Series to the South Side back in 2005. There is another one playing on the other side of town too: Jorge Soler. And how about across the majors??? Aroldis Chapman, Jose Fernandez, Yasiel Puig, and Yoenis Cespedes are just a few for starters. Well they all have Minnie to thank for showing them the way.
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I wanted to know more about Minnie, so I had to do a little more research; I found some interesting stories. Here’s one… While playing for the White Sox in the 50s, he drove around a green cadillac, wore silk shirts, wide brimmed hats, and a diamond ring, while carrying around a roll of 100s. Big pimpin Minnie, a true Chicago player… haha. But more than anything, he was known for his all-out play at all times. That is truly a lost art nowadays. His non-stop hustle is what endeared him to White Sox fans, and all baseball fans. Some things don’t change. You take the field/court/ice for a Chicago team, and you give it your all at all times, and you will be loved. Those are the players we love to root for. Those are the players we love to claim as our own. Minnie Minoso was one of those players. He was ours.
It’s ashamed, like another Chicago legend Ron Santo, that Minnie did not get to see himself inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame. Santo eventually received that honor after his death… will the same happen for Minoso? Either way, it just seems unfair. Someone who loved the game as much as these guys did, played hard, played the right way, AND put up the numbers; they both deserved to experience this honor in person. Still, it’s fun to imagine all these guys standing shoulder to shoulder up there, looking down on us, getting just as excited about the Cubs and Sox chances this year as we all are.
I guess as we get older, more and more of our Chicago legends will pass. It is a reminder of how short life is. Yes, Minnie led a long life, but I’m sure there are many who remember him playing like it was yesterday. Baseball is a game that brings most of us back to our youth; to the days when life was simpler. That is why I love baseball more than anything. It’s sad when we lose part of our past. Losing Minnie is just the latest one; the latest one to take a piece of many fans’ hearts with him. RIP Minnie. Long Live the Cuban Comet!
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