Minnie Minoso, Chicago’s first Major League Baseball’s star died last Sunday at the age of 90. A native of Cuba, Minoso was also the MLB’s first Latino star, paving the way for other Black-Latino greats such as Roberto Clemente, Juan Marichal, David Ortiz, and Pedro Martinez.
Saturnino Orestes Armas Miñoso Arrieta was born November 29, 1925 in Perico, Cuba. Minoso grew up playing baseball with his brothers, moving to Havana with his sister in 1941. Baseball has long been a huge sport in Cuba, and Minoso joined the Cuban Leagues as a third baseman in 1945 earning $145 per month. A move to the Negro League’s New York Cubans squad doubled his salary.
Minoso made his MLB debut in 1949 for the Cleveland Indians, two years after Jackie Robinson shattered the color barrier. This also made Minoso the first Black Cuban to play in the MLB. In 1951, Minoso was traded to the Chicago White Sox and hit a home run in his first at-bat.
Minoso, nicknamed the “Cuban Comet” and “Mr. White Sox,” became an instant star. But while he was beloved by fans and many on the White Sox squad, racism and segregation were still the order of the day. While on the road, Minoso often had to stay in hotels away from the rest of his teammates and endured taunts and ridicule. Even though his English was poor, he understood racism.
Minoso powered through the hardships and dazzled fans with his athletic prowess, scoring ability and base-stealing expertise. For six seasons, he starred for the White Sox before rejoining the Indians. In 1963, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals who then sold his contract to the Washington Senators. The White Sox resigned Minoso in 1964 but instead he left to play eight seasons in the Mexican League. In his late 40’s in 1973, Minoso scored 12 home runs and had a respectable batting average of .265.
Minoso is only one of two players to have played in five different decades. He was called out of retirement twice by the White Sox in 1976 and in 1980. At the age of 54, Minoso retired for good.
Despite his stellar career statistics, Minoso has never come close to being inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame. This fact was noted by President Barack Obama, who issued a statement after Minoso’s death.
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