Bill Melton
Encyclopedia
William Edwin Melton nicknamed "Beltin' Bill" or "Beltin' Melton", is a former third baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played from through for the Chicago White Sox
, California Angels
and Cleveland Indians
. He is now a commentator for Comcast SportsNet White Sox broadcasts.
, Melton would make steady progress through the White Sox system, playing for the A-league Fox Cities Foxes, AA Evansville White Sox
, and AAA Hawaii Islanders
and Syracuse Chiefs. At each level, he would display the two characteristics that he would be known for throughout his playing career - a powerful bat and questionable fielding.
Melton, would make his major league debut on 4 May 1968 and would be a mainstay at the hot corner for the White Sox for the next seven years. After leading the Sox in homeruns
in 1969 with 23, Melton would come into his own in 1970, hitting 33 home runs and again leading the team. In 1971, Melton would have arguably his best season as he would make the all-star team and lead the American League
with 33 homeruns - the first time a White Sox player had lead the league in homers. Melton's production declined in 1972 after missing most of the season with a herniated disc resulting from trying to break his son’s fall from their garage roof. The injury sapped his power such that he would not again hit more than 21 home runs in a year. Before his back problems, Melton was a popular player, but when his play began to suffer due to his back injury, he became the target of fans and media. Melton especially drew the ire of White Sox broadcaster Harry Caray, who often railed against Beltin’ Bill for his fielding problems. Never good with the glove, finishing either third or fourth in the league for errors by a third baseman every year except his rookie and injury-shortened 1972 seasons, Melton would lead the league with 24 errors in 1974 and 26 in 1975.
Following the 1975 season, Melton would be traded to the Angels along with pitcher Steve Dunning
for outfielder Morris Nettles
and first baseman Jim Spencer
, but his production would continue to decrease as he would hit only .208 with 6 home runs in 118 games. Following the 1976 season, he would be traded again, this time to the Indians for a player to be named later (ultimately relief pitcher Stan Perzanowski
) and cash. After appearing in only 50 games for the Indians in 1977, hitting only .241 with no home runs, he would retire following the season.
to be a White Sox pre and postgame television analyst. In 2005, he was hired by Comcast SportsNet Chicago in a similar position.
Until 1987, Melton was the White Sox' all-time home run leader. He was passed in 1987 by Harold Baines
, who was then overtaken by Carlton Fisk
in 1990. Fisk was later bypassed by Frank Thomas
.
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played from through for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. He is now a commentator for Comcast SportsNet White Sox broadcasts.
Baseball career
Melton was signed as a minor league free agent directly out of high school prior to the 1964 season and was assigned to the White Sox rookie league Sarasota White Sox. After spending 1965 back at Sarasota, this time with the A-league Sarasota Sun SoxSarasota Sun Sox
The Sarasota Sun Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Sarasota, Florida that played in the Florida State League from 1961 to 1965. They were affiliated with the Kansas City A's in 1961 and the Chicago White Sox from 1962 to 1965.-Year-by-year record:...
, Melton would make steady progress through the White Sox system, playing for the A-league Fox Cities Foxes, AA Evansville White Sox
Evansville White Sox
The Evansville White Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Evansville, Indiana that played in the Southern League from 1966 to 1968. They were affiliated with the Chicago White Sox and played their home games at Bosse Field.-Year-by-year record:...
, and AAA Hawaii Islanders
Hawaii Islanders
The Hawaii Islanders were a AAA minor league baseball team, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1961 through 1987. The Islanders were originally an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics. They played their home games at Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu's Aloha Stadium...
and Syracuse Chiefs. At each level, he would display the two characteristics that he would be known for throughout his playing career - a powerful bat and questionable fielding.
Melton, would make his major league debut on 4 May 1968 and would be a mainstay at the hot corner for the White Sox for the next seven years. After leading the Sox in homeruns
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in 1969 with 23, Melton would come into his own in 1970, hitting 33 home runs and again leading the team. In 1971, Melton would have arguably his best season as he would make the all-star team and lead the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with 33 homeruns - the first time a White Sox player had lead the league in homers. Melton's production declined in 1972 after missing most of the season with a herniated disc resulting from trying to break his son’s fall from their garage roof. The injury sapped his power such that he would not again hit more than 21 home runs in a year. Before his back problems, Melton was a popular player, but when his play began to suffer due to his back injury, he became the target of fans and media. Melton especially drew the ire of White Sox broadcaster Harry Caray, who often railed against Beltin’ Bill for his fielding problems. Never good with the glove, finishing either third or fourth in the league for errors by a third baseman every year except his rookie and injury-shortened 1972 seasons, Melton would lead the league with 24 errors in 1974 and 26 in 1975.
Following the 1975 season, Melton would be traded to the Angels along with pitcher Steve Dunning
Steve Dunning
Steven John Dunning is a former professional baseball player who played seven seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, California Angels, Montreal Expos, and Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball...
for outfielder Morris Nettles
Morris Nettles
Morris Nettles is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played two seasons with the California Angels in the mid-1970s....
and first baseman Jim Spencer
Jim Spencer
James Lloyd Spencer was a Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter....
, but his production would continue to decrease as he would hit only .208 with 6 home runs in 118 games. Following the 1976 season, he would be traded again, this time to the Indians for a player to be named later (ultimately relief pitcher Stan Perzanowski
Stan Perzanowski
Stanley Perzanowski is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, born in East Chicago, Indiana. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 16th round of the 1968 amateur draft. He threw right-handed during his baseball career....
) and cash. After appearing in only 50 games for the Indians in 1977, hitting only .241 with no home runs, he would retire following the season.
Post-Career
Melton took a position as a community relations representative for the White Sox 1992. In 1998, Melton was hired by WGNWGN
WGN may refer to:*World's Greatest Newspaper, former slogan of the Chicago Tribune and the namesake for the WGN broadcasting outlets in Chicago, Illinois.** WGN , a radio station licensed to Chicago, Illinois, United States...
to be a White Sox pre and postgame television analyst. In 2005, he was hired by Comcast SportsNet Chicago in a similar position.
Until 1987, Melton was the White Sox' all-time home run leader. He was passed in 1987 by Harold Baines
Harold Baines
Harold Douglas Baines is a former right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from 1980 to 2001. He is best known for his three stints with the Chicago White Sox, the team on which he now serves as coach...
, who was then overtaken by Carlton Fisk
Carlton Fisk
Carlton Ernest Fisk , nicknamed "Pudge" or "The Commander", is a former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 24-year baseball career, he played for both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox .Fisk was known by the nickname "Pudge" due to his 6'2", 220 lb frame...
in 1990. Fisk was later bypassed by Frank Thomas
Frank Thomas (AL baseball player)
Frank Edward Thomas, Jr. , nicknamed "The Big Hurt", is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman....
.