by James Finn Garner
Minnie Minoso
Your name is a song
And why it took so long
To integrate Chicago baseball
God only knows
But you came and showed
The joy of speed
The command of glove
And changed the game
But why do I love
You, Orestes, besides your name?
The Cuban Comet
You flared and flamed
and lit up the place
Wherever you came
Minnie Minoso
Your name is a song
I hope to recall
My whole life long
Not many recall that Minnie was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Joe Cunningham in 1962. The oldest 36 year old between Satchel and Fernando, he never adjusted to a change in leagues, barely hitting his weight in 39 games before running into a wall, ending his season. The next year, he was back in the Junior Circuit. The year after that, he “retired” as a White Sox for the first time.
I was always proud to call him a Redbird.
PS:Always had an affinity for Minnie Minoso. My Grandmother’s name was Minnie. She was from Chicago.
Minnie was a good bird, no matter where he played.