Minnie Minoso, Chicago White Sox first black player, dies

Minnie Minoso, the Chicago White Sox first black player, died Sunday morning at the age of 89, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Minnie Minoso, the Chicago White Sox first black player, died Sunday morning at the age of 89, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. 

The Cuban-born outfielder was a seven-time All-Star who had the unlikely distinction of playing in the Major Leagues in five different decades. His career spanned from his debut season in 1949, when a 23-year-old Minoso logged three hits over nine games for the Cleveland Indians, to 1964. 

The "Cuban Comet" - also known as "Mr. White Sox" to his contemporary Ernie Banks' "Mr. Cub" - later spent limited time in the 1976 and 1980 seasons respectively as a player-coach for the White Sox. 

Minoso had a .298 career batting average across time spent with Indians, White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Senators, hitting 186 career home runs and logging 1023 RBIs. 

In December, Minoso received only eight of the 12 required votes to make it in to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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Minoso is a top 10 all-time White Sox leader in hits, RBIs, runs and total bases, according to ESPN. 

Former White Sox players tweeted their reflections on Minoso Sunday.

Every time I ran into Minnie Minoso he always put a smile on my face. Such a class act for the @whitesox and truly a role model. #RIPMinnie

— Jermaine Dye (@JermaineDye) March 1, 2015

Wow so sorry to hear the passing of Mr. Minnie Minoso!! We will always love you Minnie! A true White Sox legend.

— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) March 1, 2015

- Will Green