(670 The Score) The late, great Minnie Minoso will have his Hall of Fame credentials examined once again in the coming weeks ahead of Dec.
5, when the Golden Days Era committee will announce if the White Sox icon deserves inclusion into Cooperstown.
The Cuba native Minoso’s case is strengthened this time around because MLB just within the past year has officially recognized statistics from the Negro Leagues. Minoso starred for the New York Cubans in the Negro Leagues from 1946 to 1948, including helping them win a title in 1947. Minoso then played in MLB from 1949-’64 before making cameo appearances for the White Sox in 1976 and 1980 – the last at age 54 – to become the first player to play a game in five different decades.
On Monday, the White Sox held a conference call to generate support for Minoso to be selected for the Hall of Fame. Included on it was Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick, former White Sox and Cuban star pitcher Jose Contreras and ESPN broadcaster Eduardo Perez, the son of Hall of Famer Tony Perez.
“I just had a recent conversation with my dad because I knew the player he looked up to growing up in Cuba was Minnie Minoso,” Perez said. “My dad, who lived in a small sugar cane town dreaming of being as fast as Minnie Minoso, helped transcend an era where technology was nil and made it difficult to follow players. But my dad did. I am who I am because my father aspired to be like Minnie Minoso. So there is a direct connection there. He was an inspiration to the entire Cuban community and Afro/Latino world with the way he handled himself both on and off the field. He inspired many others to be great in what they decided to do.”
To received induction into the Hall of Fame, those on the Golden Days Era ballot need to receive at least 12 of 16 votes from the committee members. Minoso was a nine-time All-Star and an icon in the eyes of Cubans who followed closely all he accomplished.
"Minnie represented us from Cuba in a way that was important both on and off the field,” Contreras said. “He handled himself so well through things and times no one had experienced before.
“To me, Minnie was a legend. He was one of the reasons I started playing baseball as a kid. When I had a chance to meet him when I came here to play, it was incredible. He was our Jackie Robinson.”
Minoso had 199 homers and hit .299 in his career. He was also a three-time Gold Glove winner.
"I thought Minnie and Buck O’Neil should have gotten into the Hall of Fame in 2006 off of the Negro Leagues list that were picked,” Kendrick said. “I am very hopeful he will finally get his rightful place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, because it is well-deserved.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.