Minnie Minoso (2022)


Date of Birth: 11/29/1923
Date of Death: 3/1/2015
Birthplace: Perico, Cuba

Minnie Minoso played baseball with his brothers as a youngster. Later, he managed his own team.

Minoso played with the New York Cubans of the Negro Leagues from 1946 through part of 1948.

Cleveland Indians

Minoso was signed by the Cleveland Indians prior to the 1948 season. He spent the season in both the minor leagues and the Negro Leagues. In 1949, he joined the Indians for nine games. He also played in 137 games in the minors. The following year, he played only in the minors.

Chicago White Sox

Minoso was traded to the Chicago White Sox on April 30, 1951. That season, he led the AL in stolen bases and all of major league baseball in triples. He had career highs in stolen bases and batting average. He finished the season with 173 hits, 34 doubles, 14 triples, 31 stolen bases, 76 RBIs, 42 strikeouts to 72 walks, and a .326 batting average in 8 games with the Indians and 138 games with the White Sox.

Minoso again led the AL in stolen bases in 1952 and 1953. He had 160 hits, 24 doubles, 22 stolen bases, 61 RBIs, 46 strikeouts to 71 walks, and a .281 batting average in 147 games in 1952. The following season he had a better batting average (.313), but his other numbers were similar to those of 1952: 174 hits, 24 doubles, 25 stolen bases, 104 RBIs, 43 strikeouts to 74 walks in 151 games.

Minoso led all of major league baseball in triples in 1954 wtih 18. He had career highs in triples and RBIs (116). He batted .320 with 182 hits, 29 doubles, 19 home runs, and 18 stolen bases. He struck out 46 times and walked 77 times.

Minoso's batting average dropped to .288 in 1955. He had 149 hits, 26 doubles, 19 stolen bases, and 70 RBIs in 139 games. The next year, his average jumped up to .316, and he led the AL in triples with 11. He had 172 hits, 29 doubles, 21 home runs, and 88 RBIs in 1956.

In 1957, Minoso led the AL in a career high 36 doubles. He had 176 hits, 18 stolen bases, 103 RBIs, and a .310 batting average in 153 games. He also played excellent defense and he won his first Gold Glove as a left fielder.

Return to Cleveland Indians

Minoso was traded back to the Indians on December 4, 1957. He had a career high 24 home runs in 1958. He finished the season with 168 hits, 25 doubles, 80 RBIs, and a .302 batting average in 149 games. He won his second Gold Glove in 1959. His offensive numbers were also good that year, with 172 hits, 32 doubles, 21 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a .302 batting average in 148 games.

Return to Chicago White Sox

Minoso was traded to the White Sox on December 5, 1959. He had a strong season in 1960, winning his third Gold Glove and leading the AL in games played and hits. He batted .311 with a career high 184 hits, 32 doubles, 20 home runs, 105 RBIs, and 63 strikeouts to 52 walks in a career high 154 games.

Minoso didn't play as well in 1961. That year, he batted .280 with 28 doubles, 82 RBIs, and 46 strikeouts to 67 walks in 152 games.

St. Louis Cardinals

The White Sox traded Minoso to the St. Louis Cardinals on November 27, 1961. He played in just 39 games in 1962, and he had a .196 batting average.

Washington Senators

The Washington Senators (who later became the Texas Rangers) brought Minoso's contract on April 2, 1963. He played in 109 games that season and he had 72 hits and a .229 batting average.

Return to Chicago White Sox

The Senators released Minoso on October 14, 1963. He signed with the White Sox on April 8, 1964. After 30 games and 7 hits, he was released on July 17th.

Minoso returned to the White Sox on September 10, 1976. He played in three games before being released on October 6th.

On October 3, 1980, Minoso again signed with the White Sox. He played in two games and then was released on October 6th.

Awards and MLB Records

  • Gold Glove (3 times)
  • Led AL in stolen bases (3 times)
  • Led AL in games played in 1960
  • Led AL in hits in 1960
  • Led AL in doubles in 1957
  • Led AL in triples (3 times)

Career Statistics

Career batting statistics for Minoso include:

  • 1,948 games played
  • 2,113 hits
  • 365 doubles
  • 95 triples
  • 195 home runs
  • 216 stolen bases
  • 1,089 RBIs
  • 584 strikeouts to 848 walks
  • .299 batting average
  • .387 on-base percentage
  • .848 OPS

Career fielding statistics for Minoso as a left fielder include:

  • 1,509 games played
  • 2,934 putouts
  • 86 errors
  • .973 fielding percentage

Post Playing Career

Minoso played in the Mexican League from 1965 through 1973.

Minoso was a coach for the White Sox in 1976.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Minnie Minoso
Baseball Reference - Minnie Minoso

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