El Profe: A transcendent image of Minnie Miñoso
By Adrian Burgos
Over the next several weeks La Vida Baseball will be breaking down some of our favorite Latino baseball photos of all time. These photos span decades and each tells its own story. How will these photos make you feel? That is up to you, but here’s El Profe to give you his perspective.
Miñoso al bate
I love this photo.
Power. Intensity. Poise. Determination. These were all elements of the Cuban Comet’s batting approach. He was unafraid when he walked to the plate and dug into the batter’s box to take his cuts. Single-minded in purpose. Get on base; however possible.
One can see that intensity in Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso’s eyes as he gazes into the camera while selecting his lumber to take his swings. Even for batting practice, they are focused, fierce, piercing.
Miñoso is not only holding the gaze on the photographer but also holding onto a selection of bats. The muscles, the arm strength and powerful wrists. He is strong and sinewy. This is part of the secret to his success at the plate. He is a tough out at the plate, because he possessed power and speed, rippling forearms and powerful wrists. That plus determination and purpose meant pitchers were always up for a battle when number 9 stepped to the plate wearing the Chicago uniform.
These characteristics also defined the manner Miñoso carried himself off the playing field. Miñoso was a pioneering player, the first black Latino to perform in the Major Leagues in 1949 when he debuted with the Cleveland Indians. On May 1, 1951, he made history in becoming the first black player to don the White Sox uniform in regular season action.
The Southsiders fell in love with Miñoso the integration pioneer and he with them. What’s missing is in this photo is his characteristic smile. The one that warmed the hearts of so many of the Chicago White Sox faithful, that invited them in for a conversation, to share a laugh, a joke. But, add the smile and you lose his intensity, because when he stepped into the box it was all business. And his success with that approach became celebrated and transcended borders, even becoming the subject of a song “Miñoso al Bate” performed by the Cuban band Orquesta de Enrique Jorrin who joyously sang “when Miñoso bats … the ball dances a cha-cha-cha.”
Featured Image: Osvaldo Salas/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum