It's weird that he's not in. I'm wondering if the playing in 12 decades thing turned him into an oddity.

Wasn't the first comeback, in 1976, mainly to get Minoso better pension benefits?

When did Minnie acquire the tilde in his last name? It certainly wasn't used when he played or for many years after.

Nobody "used" tildes when Minoso played. Hell, he's lucky his first name isn't "Mike". It's only been in maybe the last 20 years that the tilde has become common usage when reporting on Latin players, I assume because of typesetting advances.

Unless you're saying the Latin press didn't use a tilde in his name back then in which case I have no idea.

Minoso has at least a borderline case and I doubt they'd find anybody happier to be inducted. I don't think (and hope) the stunts have to do with his exclusion, I think it's the "short" career.

Man, what a terrible trade. In a 3-team swap, the Indians traded Minoso and two other players, receiving just Lou Brissie -- a swingman they turned into a full-time reliever. They got 200 innings of 101 ERA+. The A's were the other team involved and they somehow got 4 players for Brissie including Gus Zernial and Dave Philley (mediocre but starting OF).

Man, what a terrible trade. In a 3-team swap, the Indians traded Minoso and two other players, receiving just Lou Brissie -- a swingman they turned into a full-time reliever. They got 200 innings of 101 ERA+. The A's were the other team involved and they somehow got 4 players for Brissie including Gus Zernial and Dave Philley (mediocre but starting OF).

My nemesis, Trader Lane ,was responsible for this trade as GM of the Chisox. In fact, Lane made 2 excellent trades involving Minoso--besides the one that Walt mentioned, in 1959, while GM of the Indians he made this swap:
"December 6, 1959: Traded by the Cleveland Indians with Dick Brown, Don Ferrarese and Jake Striker to the Chicago White Sox for Norm Cash, Bubba Phillips and John Romano."
That would have been fantastic for the Tribe--Romano was a very good hitting catcher (largely underrated) and Cash was Cash, age 24. Unfortunately, he ruined it by trading Cash to the Tigers the next April, for Steve Demeter. (and, 5 days later, he traded Rocky)

Nobody "used" tildes when Minoso played. Hell, he's lucky his first name isn't "Mike".

I think "Minnie" is even worse than "Mike". At least "Mike" is a man's name.

Why not "Nino Minoso"?

Why not "Nino Minoso"?

This is 'murica.

Nobody "used" tildes when Minoso played. Hell, he's lucky his first name isn't "Mike".

or Bob

Man, what a terrible trade. In a 3-team swap, the Indians traded Minoso and two other players, receiving just Lou Brissie -- a swingman they turned into a full-time reliever.

Not that it has much to do with his ability with a baseball player, but there are few players I have more respect for than Lou Brissie. To quote wiki:

Lou attended Presbyterian College before enlisting in the U.S. Army in December 1942. In November 1944, Lou found himself in heavy fighting in Italy with the 88th Infantry Division (Blue Devils). On December 2, 1944, Lou's unit suffered an artillery barrage, and a shell exploded which shattered his left tibia and shinbone in 30 pieces. Lou's citations included the Purple Heart (with oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star Medal, ETO and American Campaign Medals.

After 2 years and 23 major operations Lou was able to return to baseball with a metal brace on his leg. He was signed by the Philadelphia A's on December 15, 1946. His comeback began with Savannah in the Southern League where he won 25 games in 1947. The A's called him up and on September 28, 1947 he realized his "life's ambition" of pitching in the major leagues.

For Brissie to not only make it to the majors, but to be an All-Star after suffering such horrendous injuries is one of the more inspiring stories in baseball history. I'd recommend reading this book for the full story.

I knew the name Lou Brissie rang a heckuva bell. That's why. Thanks, vortex.

or Bob

Clemente didn't mind that Bob Prince called him "Bob," but then again Prince also called him "The Great One."

it wasn't until after 1969 that "Bob Clemente" was "retired"
http://compare.ebay.com/like/290643012118?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y

Bob "grew up" in 1970

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM2276270403P?sid=IDx20070921x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM2276270403

Back when Harry Carey was broadcasting for the White Sox, trying to pronounce Jorge Orta damn near killed him. He really did try hard, but after a few months it was George

I didn't know that about Brissie. Thanks Vortex.

Still a bad trade. :-)

Back when Harry Carey was broadcasting for the White Sox, trying to pronounce Jorge Orta damn near killed him. He really did try hard, but after a few months it was George

Isn't it pronounced "Whore Hey"?? I figured that would be something Harry would be able to say from memory.

He was "George" Orta for the entirety of my time growing up in the 70s, during which Minnie Minoso signed my baseball glove.

Thanks, vortex.

Thanks Vortex.

You're welcome!