1974
It was a minor trade, but one the White Sox undoubtedly won, sending shortstop Eddie Leon to the Yankees for reliever Cecil Upshaw. Upshaw pitched on the South Side for just one season, but he filled a solid late role for the club, finishing 15 of his 29 games, with a save, carrying a 3.23 ERA and 0.8 WAR. Leon, on the other hand, played in just one inning in New York, as a defensive replacement, with no official plate appearances.
Both players were out of the majors by 1976.
1977
Chalk this one up to White Sox owner Bill Veeck.
Knowing he needed a drawing card and a big bat to replace Richie Zisk and Oscar Gamble, Veeck dealt future All-Star Brian Downing and pitchers Chris Knapp and Dave Frost to California. He got back Bobby Bonds and two youngsters, Thad Bosley and Richard Dotson. Bonds would play in only 26 games for the White Sox, with two home runs and eight RBIs, before he was flipped to Texas in May. Chicago’s record was a dismal 9-20 at the time, and Veeck understood there was no way he was going to be able to re-sign Bonds as a free agent after the 1978 season.
At least Dotson turned out to be of value in the 80’s, winning in double-figures six times, headed up by a 22-7 year in 1983. He also made the All-Star team in 1984.
1986
The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation allowing funds to be given to the White Sox in connection with the construction of a new stadium across the street from the original Comiskey Park.
2021
It took a while, but he finally got his due: Minnie Miñoso was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Golden Days Era Committee. Miñoso, who had been turned away almost two dozen times before, received 14 votes from the 16-person board.
Minnie was a six-time All-Star representing the White Sox, as well as being a two-time Gold Glove winner in left field for Chicago. He broke the color barrier for the first White Sox when he suited up for the team on May 1, 1951 — and homered in his first at bat against the Yankees Vic Raschi.
Miñoso led the American League in triples and stolen bases three times apiece, was named The Sporting News AL Rookie of the Year in 1951, and finished hitting better than .300 seven times for the White Sox.
His impact was felt for generations, as he was the first Latin player to make it big in Major League Baseball. Minnie was regarded as the “Latin Jackie Robinson” by players who followed in his footsteps, including such greats as Roberto Clemente, Tony Pérez, Luis Tiant and Orlando Cepeda.
2024
The American League home run champion for 1971 and an All-Star who later became an honest analyst on the White Sox pre- and postgame shows, Bill Melton, passed away at the age of 79 in Phoenix after a short illness.
Melton spent six full years and two partial ones with the club, starting in 1968. He became the first Sox player to hit 30 or more home runs in a season when he did it in 1970 — then followed it up with 33 the following year.
Melton’s three home runs in the last two games of that season gave him the AL crown over former Sox player Norm Cash and Reggie Jackson.
In his time on the South Side “Beltin’ Bill” hit 154 home runs and drove in 535 runs. In four seasons he had at least 86 RBIs. Melton was the franchise all-time home run leader from 1974 (passing Minnie Miñoso) until 1987 (passed by Harold Baines).
