July 17, 2003: Minoso's Tainted Record
CNNSI.com:
ST.
PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The ageless Minnie Minoso added another line to his resume.
Minoso, 77, became the first player to play professional baseball in seven decades Wednesday night when he took the field for the St. Paul Saints against Gary in the independent Northern League.
He was in the lineup as St. Paul's designated hitter, as part of the team's annual Negro League tribute, and walked in the first inning.
Minoso became the first to play in six decades when he batted for the Saints in a game in 1993. He spent several years in the Negro Leagues before breaking into mainstream baseball in 1948 with Class A San Diego. He hit .298 in a 16-year major league career that ended in 1964 with the Chicago White Sox.
Minoso, who currently works in Chicago's community relations department, came back with the White Sox in 1976 for eight at-bats (he got one hit) and two more in 1980.
COMMENTART FROM BMTG MANAGEMENT:
DIESEL:
Minnie Minoso has devalued his splendid 16 year career by becoming no more
than a simple minded marketing gimmick. His epitaph will emphasize his meaningless
at bats, in meaningless games, with meaningless teams, for a meaningless record
more than it will his real accomplishments. If I'm at a game in which Mr.
Minoso comes to bat in his 8th decade I will be elated. It will give me enough
time to growl out a steamer and devour a hot dog without missing anything
important. I would only miss the obligatory standing ovation for him not already
dying, the obligatory walk (who wants to K a 87 year old man on SportsCenter),
and the eventual switch at first base for a pinch runner, followed by another
ovation and a long walk to the dugout with the help of a young lovely. No
thanks I'm crapping.