Posted By:
Chris CountsThere seem to a quite a bit of controversy about Minnie's age. Whether he was born in 1922 or 1925, the guy is a bonafide HOFer in my book. Here's a few comments from others about him:
Bill James considers Minnie Minoso the 85th best player in the history of the game ...
"Minoso didn't get to play in the majors until he was 28 years old, but had a better career after age 28 than almost any Hall of Fame left/right fielder," writes James. "Minoso hit for power, drove in 100 runs like clockwork, was a Gold Glove outfielder and one of the best baserunners of his time. Had he gotten the chance to play in the Majors when he was 21 years old, I think he'd probably be rated among the top thirty players of all time."
Paul Soglin:
"He was 21 in 1945 when he played his first fall season of Cuban Baseball with Maraino hitting .294," writes Soglin. "The next year was he hitting .309 for the New York Cubans. The following season, 1947, Minoso again led the New York Cubans as they captured the Negro National League pennant and easily defeated the Cleveland Buckeyes to win the Negro League World Series. In that Series, Minoso was the offensive star, batting over .400 ... Some say Minoso was born in 1925. It doesn't make a bit of difference. It would have meant three fewer potential seasons in the majors. He didn't need the three years. Minoso languished for two years in the minors once Cleveland signed him in 1949. They didn't understand his style of baseball-speed, hustle, and potentially leading the majors with hit by pitches was not a white 'Yankee' thing."
Here's an interesting question: If Minnie and Ron Santo played for the Yankees, and not for the White Sox and Cubs respectively, would they be in the HOF?