Orestes (“Minnie”) Minoso
On this date in 1951, Orestes ("Minnie") Minoso became the first Black Chicago White Sox player.
A veteran of the Negro Leagues' New York Cubans and Bill Veeck's Cleveland Indians, Minoso had a sensational rookie year, batting .326 with 173 hits while leading the league in triples and stolen bases. In a questionable and possibly racist decision, sportswriters gave the Rookie of the Year Award to the Yankees' statistically inferior Gil McDougal.
As a fast outfielder, Minoso led the American League in steals for three consecutive years. For his career, he batted .298 with 1,962 hits and is still mentioned as a possible Hall of Fame candidate.
20th Century Baseball Chronicle
Year-By-Year History of major league Baseball
Copyright 1999, Publications International Ltd.
ISBN 0-7853-4074-2
