Lip Man 1

One year, 10 million according to MLB.com story.

Manfred says "no plans" for Golden At-Bat. Now claims he wasn't in favor of it. 😄 https://www.mlb.com/news/commissioner-rob-manfred-says-there-are-no-plans-for-golden-at-bat "No. 1: It has come out that I have spoken publicly about this kind of change a few years ago, that I was not particularly in favor of it, and that remains the case."

https://links.mlb.mlbemail.com/e/evib?_t=c632e003a756446c956a8e0347d00d08&_m=a75519cdc1694f36b756cd473dc6a506&_e=ZjR6ee_39t8fo-UfUlll-l2wqUG81XFmJC85vtmCjOFiTwM5Tb0LGsyKgkwaOGBu5K0ac5vovswZR9AGx5w-fw%3D%3D

I'm more upset about the Sox total complete dysfunction than I am with Kopech's comments. Not to say what he said doesn't bother me, but that's more reflective of what has happened to this franchise.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/why-luis-robert-should-be-a-top-trade-candidate-white-sox-center-fielder-still-has-huge-upside-for-right-team/

Great column on Bill from Sully at the Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/06/chicago-white-sox-bill-melton-nancy-faust/

This is MUST SEE TV. I have no idea where WGN got some of these highlights. My library is extensive but I've never seen some of Dick's game action before that was shown in this. Didn't even know the footage still existed. And WGN must have enhanced the highlights because they look brilliant and crystal clear. Fingers crossed for Dick and Tommy Sunday night:

From MLB.com: The wild card in the pitching pursuit could be Garrett Crochet, who is expected to be traded by the White Sox at some point this winter. Other starting pitchers may become available via trade at some point, but barring a surprising development, Crochet appears to be the cream of the trade crop, putting the White Sox in a strong position. “If teams are paying $20 million-plus for middle-tier starters, what is he worth?” an NL executive said.

My tribute/obit for Bill: https://www.southsidesox.com/2024/12/5/24314460/bill-melton-1945-2024-in-memoriam-chicago-white-sox-dead-at-79-obituary-white-sox-history

Sun Times story on Bill: https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2024/12/05/former-white-sox-star-bill-melton-dies

He actually fell off his ladder while keeping his son from falling off his patio roof. He was re-nailing some shingles at the time. Fell right on his tailbone. Sox tried everything to help including shots with extract from papayas but nothing worked and he went on the DL in late June after only 57 games.

Terrific story on Bill's career in the Tribune, including a bunch of photos. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/05/bill-melton-chicago-white-sox-obit/

Some of Bill's notations from my This Day In White Sox History file. Had the chance to meet him when I co-hosted the 40th Anniversary of the 1972 team in 2012 that was done in association with the Chicago Baseball Museum and the White Sox. Was really a great guy: March 12, 1973 - Sox third baseman and former 1971 A.L. home run champ, Bill Melton, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The caption read, “Chicago Comes Out Swinging. Slugger Bill Melton.” Melton would have a nice comeback season after missing most of 1972 with a herniated disc. He’d hit .277 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI’s. He’d be traded to the Angels after the 1975 campaign. April 7, 1971 - Charlie Finley, the A’s owner, got the first regularly scheduled opening day double header in history but was stunned when the Sox under manager Chuck Tanner beat them twice 6-5 and 12-4 at the Oakland Coliseum. Tommy John and Bart Johnson were the winning pitchers. The Sox clubbed five home runs on the day, including a grand slam by Bill Melton. It should have been six homers except that Carlos May somehow missed touching home plate on his blast. A’s catcher Gene Tenace picked up on it and tagged him out when he was sitting in the dugout. It went as a triple in the scorebook and two RBI’s. May 31, 1970 - The torpid White Sox, on their way to the worst single season in franchise history annihilated the Red Sox in Boston 22-13. The Sox banged out 24 hits, Luis Aparicio and Walt Williams had five each with Bill Melton knocking in four RBI’s. Williams also scored five runs. The Sox had innings where they scored seven, six, four and three runs. The Sox victim that afternoon? None other than former Sox star pitcher Gary Peters who lasted less than an inning. It was the second most runs ever scored in a single game by the franchise. June 24, 1969 - In the second game of a double header in Seattle, Sox third baseman Bill Melton slugged three home runs in the 7-6 win. All were solo blasts. The Sox took the first game as well winning 6-4 with relief pitcher Wilbur Wood picking up wins in both games allowing only two hits in almost six innings of work. June 24, 1972 - Behind the inspired play of Dick Allen, Wilbur Wood, Stan Bahnsen, Rich “Goose” Gossage, Terry Forster and Carlos May, the Sox were in the middle of a pennant chase when the bizarre injury curse struck again. Third baseman Bill Melton fell off a ladder damaging his back during the previous off season and had been playing in pain ever since. The defending American League home run champion was put on the disabled list and lost for the rest of the year when it was discovered he had a herniated disk. He only played in 57 games with seven home runs and 30 RBI’s. The reason he was on the ladder? His young son was with him as he was re-nailing some patio roof shingles when the boy started to slide towards the edge. Melton caught him but fell backwards on to the ground right on his tailbone. The Sox would finish five and a half games behind the Oakland A’s with a record of 87-67. August 7, 1970 - In the midst of the worst season in franchise history, some smiles were seen after the Sox unveiled the “Big White Machine,” at Comiskey Park. The car was a 1929 Ford, rebuilt and put together by Sox players Ed Herrmann, Bill Melton, Syd O’Brien and the folks at Hawkinson Ford (now known as Hawk Ford). It circled the Comiskey Park warning track every time the Sox won a home game (which wasn’t often!) August 21, 1973 - Sox pitcher Stan Bahnsen took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against Cleveland. After getting the first two outs, former Sox outfielder Walt Williams got a ground single to left past third baseman Bill Melton. Melton inexplicably, was playing in, anticipating a possible bunt from Williams who later said under no circumstances would he try to break up a no-hitter by bunting late in the game. Stan then got the final out finishing with a one-hitter, striking out four, in the 4-0 win. September 21, 1970 - For the first time in 69 seasons, the Sox finally had a 30-home run man. Bill Melton got an upper deck shot off the Royals Aurelio Monteagudo, who pitched for the Sox the year before, for the most Sox home runs in a season at that time. That same day Luis Aparicio got his final hit in a Sox uniform. He had 1,576 of them for the White Sox. Just 672 fans were on hand to see the double header at Comiskey Park as the Sox were closing out the worst season in franchise history. September 30, 1971 - When Bill Melton smashed a home run on the last day of the season off the Brewers Bill Parsons in the third inning, he became the first Sox player to ever win a home run championship. Melton hit three home runs in the final two games to pass former Sox player Norm Cash and Reggie Jackson for the title. Typically, White Sox, he only had 33, the lowest total for a champ since 1965. In an effort to give Melton an additional at bat or two, manager Chuck Tanner had the power hitter leading off in the Sox final two games. His homer was the difference in a 2-1 win. December 11, 1975 – Sox G.M. Roland Hemond sent third baseman Bill Melton, a former A.L. home run champ, and pitcher Steve Dunning to California for first baseman Jim Spencer and outfielder Morris Nettles. Melton had a bad back and had worn out his welcome with the team, getting into a shouting match in a Milwaukee hotel lobby with broadcaster Harry Caray. Spencer meanwhile would win a Gold Glove for his defensive prowess saving many errors. He also had 18 home runs and 69 RBI’s for the “South Side Hit Men”, twice driving in eight runs in a game in 1977. Both came at Comiskey Park against the Indians and then the Twins.

Very sorry to hear that about Bill. Good player and a solid broadcaster.