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MLB says goodbye to the Cuban Comet, Minnie Minoso

MLB says goodbye to the Cuban Comet, Minnie Minoso

Minnie Minoso spent 17 years in MLB, 12 of which were with his beloved White Sox. Early Sunday morning, the seven-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glover passed away at the age of 90.

Born in Cuba, he was, in the words of Orlando Cepeda, "to Latin ballplayers what Jackie Robinson is to black ballplayers." He began his American baseball career in the Negro Leagues, where he played, fittingly, with the New York Cubans from 1946 to 1948.

The Indians signed him during his last season with the Cubans and he made his Major League debut with the team on April 19, 1949. A three-team trade in 1951 brought him to the White Sox, where he became the franchise's first black player. In Chicago, he led the AL in stolen bases in 1952 and 1953 and made speed an essential part of the '50s "Go-Go White Sox." 

baserunning

Even after he retired, Minoso couldn't stay off the diamond. In 1976, he was the first- and third-base coach for the White Sox when he was called in to pinch-hit against the Angels. At the age of 50, he recorded his final hit. He made his last plate appearance, again as a pinch-hitter, in 1980 at the age of 54. But of course he wanted to play the game as long as possible:

So of course he threw out a first pitch or two:

pitchwhug

The Sox retired his number in 1983:

And honored him with a statue at U.S. Cellular Park in 2004:

statue

The baseball community will deeply miss Minoso and his enthusiasm for the game:

Farewell, Minnie: 

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