Enshrine Allen…but elevate Minoso to Hall first

The recent death of baseball great Dick Allen brought calls for his election to the Hall of Fame. His exclusion so far has had much to do with his early career battles against racism which unfairly tabbed him a ‘troublemaker’.

Much as Allen deserves his ticket to Cooperstown, baseball biggies should first enshrine an original member of the ‘Go-Go White Sox’, Saturino Orestes ‘Minnie’ Minoso. When Minnie stepped to the plant May 1, 1951 he was a 28 year old rookie, having lost five Major League seasons to segregation  Enshrine Allen…but elevate Minoso to Hall first. He smacked a Vic Raschi fastball into the center field bullpen, ushering in the Go-Go era on the South Side after 32 years in the American League wilderness, following the Black Sox scandal of 1919. Minnie had a monster rookie year, batting .326 average, 56 extra base hits, 112 runs, 76 RBI, 31 stolen bases and a .422 on base percentage, but denied Rookie of the Year honors to Gil McDougald whose stats paled Minoso’s in every category but whose pale skin gained him the award.

Fifty-one was no fluke. Minoso was a nine time All Star, led the league in triples and stolen bases three times each, hits once and sacrificed his body, being hit by 192 pitches on way to leading the league ten times in that painful stat. Oh yes, three gold gloves for fielding in his 30’s, the last at age 37. After retiring in 1964 at 41, Minoso played 9 seasons in the Mexican League, hitting .360 with 35 doubles and 105 RBI’s his first season.

The fact that Minnie, unlike Allen, had a lovable personality without a whiff of conflict, hasn’t helped his cause. Minoso’s brilliant career entertained millions over his 17 seasons in the Bigs, overcoming racism early on. Time for the Hall to right a long standing wrong and put Minnie where he belongs with his fellow greats.