Minnie Minoso
Probably the most popular player in White Sox history, Havana-native Minnie Minoso came to the team in a huge three-team deal early in the 1951 season. After belting a home run in his first at-bat, Minoso had the fans on his side. A talented hitter with great speed, Minoso led the American League in stolen bases and triples three times, but also had enough pop to lead the loop in total bases and finish among leaders in slugging several times. Having played his first pro ball in the Negro leagues in the 1940s, he parlayed his popularity into two brief appearances at the ages of 53 and 57, several years after his retirement.
Quotes From Minoso
"I know that baseball fans have me in their own Hall of Fame - the one in their hearts. That matters more to me than any official recognition. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be, and I am truly honored to be considered. I've given my life to baseball, and the game has given me so much." — after he failed to earn election to the Hall of Fame by a special Negro leagues ballot in 2006
Played For
Cleveland Indians (1949-1951)
Chicago White Sox (1951-1957)
Cleveland Indians (1958-1959)
Chicago White Sox (1960-1961)
St. Louis Cardinals (1962)
Washington Senators (1963)
Chicago White Sox (1964-1980)
All-Time Rankings
Minnie Minoso ranks #12 among the Top 50 all-time at LF. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1954
29-18-19. That's the number of doubles, triples and homers that Minoso hit in 1954, his best overall campaign. He set career-highs with 119 runs and 116 RBI, and posted an OBP over .400. He it .320 and finished second in both OBP and SLG to Ted Williams.
Born
Saturnino Orestes Armas (Arrieta) Minoso was born on November 29, 1925, in Havana
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: CHA
Major League Debut
April 19, 1949
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1949
Monte Irvin
Minnie Minoso
Roy Sievers
Smoky Burgess
Del Crandall
Bobby Avila
Walt Dropo
Don Newcombe
Morrie Martin
Similar Players
Pete Reiser, Amos Otis, Jimmy Wynn
Related Players
Chico Carrasquel
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1969 |
BBWAA |
6 |
1.8% |
1986 |
BBWAA |
89 |
20.9% |
1987 |
BBWAA |
82 |
19.9% |
1988 |
BBWAA |
90 |
21.1% |
1989 |
BBWAA |
59 |
13.2% |
1990 |
BBWAA |
51 |
11.5% |
1991 |
BBWAA |
38 |
8.6% |
1992 |
BBWAA |
69 |
16.0% |
1993 |
BBWAA |
67 |
15.8% |
1994 |
BBWAA |
45 |
9.9% |
1995 |
BBWAA |
66 |
14.3% |
1996 |
BBWAA |
62 |
13.2% |
1997 |
BBWAA |
84 |
17.8% |
1998 |
BBWAA |
76 |
16.1% |
1999 |
BBWAA |
73 |
14.7% |
|
Post-Season Notes
Minoso never played in the post-season. He was always a year too late or in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Awards and Honors
1957 ML Gold Glove
1959 AL Gold Glove
1960 AL Gold Glove
Hitting Streaks
23 games (1955)
All-Star Selections
1951 AL
1952 AL
1953 AL
1954 AL
1957 AL
1959 AL
1960 AL
Learn More about Minnie Minoso
Search Amazon.com for Books about Minnie Minoso ⇒
Search for Minnie Minoso at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
