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Beltin’ Bill Melton Photo Gallery
Bill Melton
Carlos May, Bill Melton, and Dick Allen
Bill Melton in later years
Bill Melton
Wilbur and teammate Bill Melton
Bill Melton
Bill Melton
Bill makes the cover of Sports Illustrated
Bill was hitting instructor for Michael Jordan
Bill Melton with the Angles in 1976
A young Bill Melton
Bill took a bunch of jabs from Harry Caray
Beltin’ Bill Melton, RIP
We say a sad goodbye to beloved White Sox icon
“Bill was a friend to many at the White Sox and around baseball, and his booming voice will be missed.” –White Sox Chairman, Jerry Reinsdorf (1)
The baseball world was saddened last week to learn of the passing of beloved White Sox star and long-time TV analyst, Bill Melton. The excitement White Sox fans felt after hearing the news that Dick Allen was selected by the Classic Era committee for enshrinement in the Hall of Fame – after missing by one vote each of the last two times he was on the ballot – was somewhat diminished by this sad news that came just three days previously. On Thursday, December 5, Sox fans learned that Bill Melton had passed away after a brief illness at his home in Phoenix. Bill was 79.
“Beltin’ Melton” will always have a special place in the hearts of White Sox fans after he became the first Sox player to hit 30 homers in a season in 1970. With 33 homers the following year, 1971, he also became the first White Sox to win the American League home run championship title. In 1972, he teamed up with the aforementioned Hall of Fame designate, Dick Allen, to add a formidable one-two power punch to the Sox lineup. Together, they propelled manager Chuck Tanner’s South Siders into the American League pennant race, just two seasons after finishing with a 56-106 record. But a back injury forced Melton out of the lineup after only 57 games, and the Sox soon fell out of contention.
After the Gulfport, Mississippi native made his major league debut on May 4, 1968, he became a mainstay at third base for the White Sox over the next seven seasons. He went on to play ten years in the majors (1968-1977) for the White Sox (1968-1975), Angels (1976), and Indians (1977). Over his career, the 6’2”, 200-pound third baseman hit .253, with 160 home runs, 591 RBIs, a .337 on-base percentage, and a .419 slugging average. He made his only All-Star appearance in 1971. His 154 home runs with the White Sox made him the team leader until he was surpassed by Harold Baines in 1987. He is currently tenth on the White Sox all-time home run list.
Bill’s back problems began in the 1971 off-season when he suffered two herniated discs from trying to break his son’s fall from their garage roof. As a result of the injury, he experienced a power decline and never again hit more than 21 homers in a season. Not known as a great fielder – and with his power diminishing – he became the target of numerous barbs thrown his way by White Sox broadcaster, Harry Caray.
Upon retiring after the 1977 season, Bill became a part-time scout and team ambassador. He is remembered as Michael Jordan’s hitting instructor in 1993 when he played in the team’s minor leagues. In 1998, he moved into the broadcast booth, first with WGN and later with Comcast Sports, as a TV analyst handling the pregame and postgame duties. He held the position until retiring in 2020. His broadcast partner, Hall of Famer Frank Thomas, recalled fondly his years with the popular White Sox legend:
“Bill and I shared many nights in the studio talking baseball. He always knew how to light up a room. I loved his humor and stories. When he dropped ‘Laddy’ on you, you knew something funny was coming. God Bless, Rest in peace, Bill.” (2)
So as we continue to celebrate the great news that Dick Allen will soon have a much-deserved plaque in Cooperstown, let’s not forget to honor the memory of his White Sox teammate, fellow slugger Bill Melton, who was a fine ball player himself and was also a good man.
Bill Melton is survived by his wife, Tess, son, Billy, daughter Jennifer, and one grandson.
Gary Livacari
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Photo Credits: All from Google search
Sources: Quotes (1) and (2) from the Chicago Sun-Times December 6, 2024; background information from the Bill Melton Wikipedia page; stats from Baseball-Reference.com
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