Orestes “Minnie” Minoso, known as the “Cuban Comet,” was the first Chicago White Sox player to break the color barrier. His first at-bat on May 1, 1951, against the New York Yankees, featured a home run. He finished his rookie season as the American League leader in stolen bases and triples and won the American League Rookie of the Year honor.

Born in Cuba, Mr. Minoso was a seven-time American League All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove outfielder. He led the league in stolen bases from 1951 to 1953. He batted an average of .298 with 186 home runs and 1,023 RBI over his seventeen year Major League career with the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Senators. He batted an average of .300 eight times and still ranks among the Chicago White Sox “Top 10” in virtually every offensive category.

Mr. Minoso shares a remarkable record with Nick Altrock as the only two players to play Major League Baseball in five decades. Mr. Minoso later became the first person to play in seven consecutive decades when he appeared as a designated hitter for the St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League in 1993 and 2003.

White Sox Vice Chairman Eddie Einhorn named Minnie Minoso “Mr. White Sox” before retiring his uniform number nine in 1983. Mr. Minoso was elected to the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, the World Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990, and was immortalized by the White Sox in the form of a sculpture, which was placed on the outfield concourse at U.S. Cellular Field on Minnie Minoso Day, September 19, 2004.

The Havana, Cuba native spent nine full seasons with the Chicago White Sox during a thrilling and successful career and currently ranks fourth on the White Sox career list in both RBIs (808) and extra-base hits (474).

Since his retirement from the game, Mr. Minoso has served as an ambassador for baseball and a White Sox community relations representative, making hundreds of appearances each year to support schools, civic organizations and non-profit groups.

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