This Day In Sox History...March 1

[Lip Man 1]

March 1, 2015 - Saturnino Orestes Armas Minoso Arrieta aka “The Cuban Comet” aka “Mr. White Sox” best known as “Minnie”, died in Chicago, of a torn pulmonary artery. Depending on whether you believe “Minnie” or the official records, he was either 92 or 89 years old.

Minoso was a six-time All-Star with the White Sox and two-time Gold Glove winner while in Chicago, and also a Negro League World Series winner with the 1947 New York Cubans. In the majors, he started for Cleveland but is best associated with the “Go-Go” White Sox, of which he was the heartbeat.

He was a true five-tool player, and was revered by Cubans as their “Jackie Robinson” for the groundbreaking role in integrating the Major Leagues for Latin players. Players such as Roberto Clemente, Tony Perez and future Sox coach Orlando Cepeda sung his praises. 

In retirement, Minoso remained a beloved member of the White Sox family and worked tirelessly in White Sox P.R. and with charities for the final four decades of his life.

Though the honor came too late for him to appreciate it, in 2021 he was voted by Veterans’ Committee into the Baseball Hall of Fame, after nearly two dozen previous tries.