Miñoso defies time as White Sox’s DH

When the Chicago White Sox hired Minnie Miñoso as their first base coach in January of 1976, speculation abounded about whether the 13-time All-Star might be convinced to return as an active player.

“I hope they never have to use this old-time fella for that,” Miñoso told the Woodstock (Ill.) Daily Sentinel in April of 1976. “But I told (White Sox manager Paul Richards) that if he wants me to go out there and bat, I’m ready.”

Five months later, Miñoso did just that – and on Sept. 12, 1976, Miñoso recorded a single against the Angels’ Sid Monge while playing in his first big league game in more than 12 years.

Miñoso was thought to be 53 years old at the time, as his birthdate was then listed as Nov. 29, 1922. Since then, research has placed his birth on the same date in 1923. But whatever his age, Miñoso was in terrific shape – having gained virtually no weight from the 175 pounds he carried at the height of his ability.

“It’s like starting my life all over again,” Miñoso told the Associated Press when the White Sox activated him for the series against the Angels. “I’m not going to feel like an old man. I’m going to feel like a rookie.”

Miñoso was penciled into the lineup on Sept. 11 vs. the Angels, serving as Chicago’s designated hitter and batting ninth. He struck out against Frank Tanana in the third inning, popped out to second baseman Jerry Remy in the fifth and flew out to right fielder Dan Briggs in the seventh before exiting the game in the ninth in favor of pinch-hitter Sam Ewing as the White Sox lost 7-3.

The following day, Miñoso was again the DH and again batted ninth – this time facing Sid Monge in the first game of a doubleheader. In the bottom of the second, Miñoso singled to left for his first American League hit since June 10, 1964, against Baltimore’s Stu Miller. Miñoso would later strike out and fly out against Monge before being lifted for pinch-hitter Lamar Johnson in the ninth with the score tied at one.

The game went to extra innings, and White Sox starter and future Hall of Famer Goose Gossage retired the Angels in the top of the 10^th to keep the game tied. Then in the bottom of the 10^th, Brian Downing doubled home Ralph Garr to give Chicago the win.

“Yesterday, I didn’t see the ball too well,” Miñoso told the Associated Press after the doubleheader, which the White Sox swept despite Miñoso not playing in the second game. “Today, I opened my stance and it was just like 1951 again.”

Miñoso debuted with the White Sox in 1951 following an April 30 trade that year that saw him go from Cleveland to Chicago as part of a three-team deal with the Athletics. Miñoso began his pro career in the Negro National League with the New York Cubans in 1946 before playing nine games with the Indians in 1949. After eight more games with Cleveland early in 1951, Miñoso found a home in Chicago – where he hit .324 with an AL-best 31 steals in 138 games with the White Sox to finish second in the AL Rookie of the Year balloting and fourth in the AL MVP race.

Miñoso spent nine seasons with the White Sox from 1951-61 sandwiched around two more campaigns in Cleveland, becoming one of the most electrifying players in the game. After a third stint with the White Sox in 1964, Miñoso spent nearly 10 seasons in the Mexican League. Over 32 seasons in pro ball – including another two games with the White Sox in 1980 – Miñoso totaled 3,375 hits.

“Once you get (baseball) in your blood, you can never quit,” Miñoso told the Daily Sentinel in 1976. “I love the game.”

Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum