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Minnie Minoso Photo Gallery
Minnie Minoso Returns to the White Sox!
“I have baseball in my blood. Baseball is all I’ve ever wanted to do.” -Minnie Minoso
Sixty-six years ago yesterday, December 6, 1959, the Indians traded fan-favorite Minnie Minoso, along with three other players, back to the White Sox for Norm Cash, Bubba Phillips, and John Romano.
Minnie’s return made Opening Day at Comiskey Park, April 19, 1960, a special day in White Sox history. The 1959 American League champions welcomed back the 34-year-old outfielder after his two-years in Cleveland. And what a “grand” return it was, as Minnie hit a fourth-inning grand slam and followed that with a ninth-inning walk-off home run to give the Sox a 10-9 victory over the Kansas City Athletics!
Minnie played in all 154 games during his return to Chicago for the 1960 season, leading the American League in hits (184) and stolen bases (31). He also collected a Gold Glove for his defensive work in left field.
Check out the featured photo below. How’s that for a hook slide! The catcher is the Red Sox’ Sammy White.
Minnie’s Career
Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso was one of the most popular players in White Sox history, helping the “Go-Go” White Sox become one of the American League’s dominant teams of the 1950s and 1960s, which included 14 first division finishes – and five second place finishes – during his tenure with the White Sox. Unfortunately for the White Sox, their cruel fate was to be in the same league as the Yankees who were at the peak of their power during this span.
The La Habana, Cuba native played 17 seasons in the majors (1946-1980) for the Indians, White Sox, Cardinals, and Senators. Over his career, he hit .299, with 2110 hits, 1136 runs, 365 doubles, 195 home runs, 1093 RBIs, 216 stolen bases, a .387 on-base percentage, and a .461 slugging average. His 130 OPS+ places him well above average among his major league contemporaries.
“Mr. White Sox” was a seven-time All-Star (appearing in nine games), and a three-time Gold Glove winner. He began his professional career in 1946 in the Negro Leagues with the New York Black Cubans and was later signed by the Cleveland Indians in the wake of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, appearing in nine games in 1949.
Minnie had a great rookie year in 1951, hitting .326, with 112 runs, 34 doubles, a league-leading 14 triples, 10 home runs, a league-leading 31 stolen bases, .422 on-base percentage, and .500 slugging average. That year, he also became one of the first Latin Americans to play in the major league All-Star Game.
The “Cuban Comet” batted over .300 eight times. He was the American League leader in triples and stolen bases three times each and in hits, doubles, and total bases one time each. He also led the American League in times hit by a pitch a record ten times.
The 1950s saw a resurgence of speed into the game as an offensive weapon. Minnie and Willie Mays are often cited as the two players most responsible for this influx. Miñoso was a defensive standout and led left fielders in assists six times and in putouts and double plays four times each.
The White Sox in the 1950s were known for speed and defense, but Minnie was a rare power threat, holding the White Sox record for career home runs from 1956 to 1974 with 186. After his major league playing career was over in 1964, he went on playing and managing in Mexico through 1973. He rejoined the White Sox as a coach, and made brief but highly publicized player appearances in 1976 and 1980, becoming the third player to get a hit after the age of 50 and the second player to appear in the major leagues in five decades.
Minnie’s Baseball “Firsts”
Minnie was the first black Cuban in the major leagues and the first black player in White Sox history. Over the years after his playing days ended, Minnie received many honors. His White Sox uniform #9 was retired in 1983. He became a member of the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. On September 19, 2004, Minnie Miñoso Day was celebrated at U.S. Cellular Field which included a pregame unveiling of a Minnie Miñoso statue. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, an honor he richly deserved, in 2022.. Minnie passed away on March 1, 2015 age 91.
So today we’re happy to shine our baseball spotlight on a truly great ball player, Minnie Minoso.
Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: All from Google search
Information: Excerpts edited from Minnie Minoso Wikipedia page; Stats from Baseball Reference.com
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Information: Excerpts edited from
As a kid in the 1950’s I was a big fan of the Go-Go White Sox with Minoso my favorite player. I was so disappointed that he was traded to Cleveland and not a member of the 1959 White Sox pennant winners. As an adult, I realize that the trade probably made the 1959 pennant happen – Al Smith played well enough in Minoso’s left field spot and Early Wynn was the starting pitcher they needed (20+ wins). I had never thought about the fans on the other side of the trade in Cleveland. They got Norm Cash as a young player in 1958. But the first trade in the early 50’s sure was a loser for Cleveland.
Great story, Gary!
Thanks for checking in, Jay. As a life-long White Sox fan, I know Minnie meant a lot to you growing up, as you mentioned. I always love the personal reflections like this!