Quote:
Originally Posted by caribeņo
Miņoso was a great contributor to the base stealing art of the ´50´s era . Never was truly considered for HOF . A real Jackie Robinson for all latinos . The same for Tiant , and Oliva . Looks like latinos do not have a PR system to back 'em up .
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What with Latinos lobbying the commissioners' office for a Roberto Clemente Day I have often wondered why they didn't get behind a Cooperstown campaign for Minnie Minoso with equal fervor. Minoso was the first black latino to play in the majors (1949) and the first black latino to make an all-star team (1951). He made the American League all-star team seven years between 1951 and 1960 and most of those years he was in his 30s. He also won three Gold Gloves for Outfielder excellence in the first four years it was awarded. Only a few American League stars (all of whom are HOFers) surpass Minoso's overall offensive stats in his eleven years as an everyday player (1951-1961). Had the color barrier fallen earlier and he could have made a major league team when he was about 20 years old I have no doubt that Minoso would have compiled statistics that would have made him a no-brainer choice for the HOF.