Kudos to Minnie Miñoso, a pioneer Cuban in the Negro League. He played seasons with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.
Orestes "Minnie" Miñoso, nicknamed "The Cuban Comet" and "Mr. White Sox", was a Cuban professional baseball player. He began his baseball career in the Negro leagues in 1946 and became an All-Star third baseman with the New York Cubans. He helped integrate baseball in the '50s and was the target of racial slurs, but his power, speed, and his resilient optimism earned him All-Star and Golden Gloves, he became a dominant and dynamic figure in Major League Baseball.
Minnie Miñoso belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame. I should know, I'm one of his longest-lasting fans. He was there for my birthday party in Cuba when I was too young to realize his star power. You see, I am the youngest son of a true baseball fan who was named after another great Cleveland Indian, so my father invited Minnie Miñoso to my party because we were still in Cuba and he also represented The Tribe. In Cuba, Orestes "Minnie" Miñoso was more than just a popular baseball player, he was the first Latino superstar in the major leagues.
Minnie Miñoso was 'Jackie Robinson' of Latinos
Years later as a journalism professor at Tri-State University, I reached out to him and he graciously signed a baseball, which I have proudly kept ever since. Big Bill, one of my good friends and neighbors was kind enough to give me a Miñoso baseball card to add to my special collection.
Many years ago, I reached out to Cooperstown urging them to induct Orestes "Minnie" Miñoso. The mail must have gotten lost somewhere along the way. Buck O’Neil, along with Gil Hodges, Minnie Minoso, and three others were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Late and great Cleveland Indians All-Star Minnie Miñoso was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. A native of Cuba, he spent most of his career with the White Sox but was also a key contributor in parts of four seasons with the Tribe. https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/mlb/cleveland-guardians/cleveland-i…
