HR0228 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0228 LRB099 11312 MST 31922 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the passing of Minnie Minoso of Chicago and wish to honor his life and pay tribute to this very special man; and

WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso was born in 1925 as Saturnino Orestes Armas (Arrieta) Minoso; and

WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians in 1949 and was acquired by the Chicago White Sox 2 years later; he played for the White Sox from 1951-1957, 1960-1961 and in 1964; he then served as player-coach in 1976 and 1980; and

WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso became the first black man to play for the White Sox in 1951, 4 years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers; he blazed a trail for other Latin American players in the 1950s; and

WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso was described as being the perfect teammate with a love of the game and wanted to be playing baseball even after death; and

WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso established the White Sox standard when he led the American League in being hit by pitches 10 times; he ran the bases like a gazelle with 205 stolen bases; he drove in 100 or more runs 4 times, hit .300 or higher 8 times, and was a 7-time All-Star and 3-time Gold Glove winner; and

WHEREAS, After his playing career, Minnie Minoso was constantly around the team clubhouse as a community-relations ambassador, team cheerleader, father figure, and mentor and will be forever known as Mr. White Sox, having his number 9 retired in 1983, and his statue unveiled at U.S. Cellular Field in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Sharon; his sons, Orestes, Jr. and Charlie; and his daughters, Marilyn and Cecilia; and

WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso was a featured guest at Speaker Madigan's 50th birthday party held at the Stadium Club at Comiskey Park; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Minnie Minoso, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Minnie Minoso as an expression of our respect and deepest sympathies.