HR0228LRB099 11312 MST 31922 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the passing of Minnie 
4Minoso of Chicago and wish to honor his life and pay tribute to 
5this very special man; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso was born in 1925 as Saturnino 
7Orestes Armas (Arrieta) Minoso; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso made his major league debut with the 
9Cleveland Indians in 1949 and was acquired by the Chicago White 
10Sox 2 years later; he played for the White Sox from 1951-1957, 
111960-1961 and in 1964; he then served as player-coach in 1976 
12and 1980; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso became the first black man to play 
14for the White Sox in 1951, 4 years after Jackie Robinson broke 
15the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers; he  blazed a trail 
16for other Latin American players in the 1950s; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso was described as being the perfect 
18teammate with a love of the game and wanted to be playing 
19baseball even after death; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso established the White Sox standard 
 
 
HR0228- 2 -LRB099 11312 MST 31922 r

1when he led the American League in being hit by pitches 10 
2times; he  ran the bases like a gazelle with 205 stolen bases; 
3he  drove in 100 or more runs 4 times, hit .300 or higher 8 
4times, and was a 7-time All-Star and 3-time Gold Glove winner; 
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, After his playing career, Minnie Minoso was 
7constantly around the team clubhouse as a community-relations 
8ambassador, team cheerleader, father figure, and mentor and 
9will be forever known as Mr. White Sox, having his number 9 
10retired in 1983, and his statue unveiled at U.S. Cellular Field 
11in 2004; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso leaves behind his wife of 30 years, 
13Sharon; his  sons, Orestes, Jr. and Charlie; and his daughters, 
14Marilyn and Cecilia; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Minnie Minoso was a featured guest at Speaker 
16Madigan's 50th birthday party held at the Stadium Club at 
17Comiskey Park; therefore, be it
  
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
19NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
20mourn the passing of Minnie Minoso, and extend our sincere 
21condolences to his family, friends and all who knew and loved 
22him; and be it further
  
 
 
 
HR0228- 3 -LRB099 11312 MST 31922 r

1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
2presented to the family of Minnie Minoso as an expression of 
3our respect and deepest sympathies.