| Bill Melton | |
|---|---|
 Melton in 1970 | |
| Third baseman | |
| Born:(1945-07-07)July 7, 1945 Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| Died: December 5, 2024(2024-12-05) (aged 79) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 4, 1968, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 30, 1977, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .253 |
| Home runs | 160 |
| Runs batted in | 591 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
William Edwin Melton (July 7, 1945 – December 5, 2024), nicknamed "Beltin' Bill" and "Beltin' Melton", was an American professionalbaseballthird baseman and television sports commentator. He played inMajor League Baseball from 1968 through 1977, most prominently as a member of theChicago White Sox where he was the 1971American League home run champion and named to the 1971 American LeagueAll-Star team. He also played for theCalifornia Angels andCleveland Indians. He was a commentator forNBC Sports Chicago White Sox broadcasts.
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 leagueSarasota White Sox. After spending 1965 back at Sarasota, this time with the A-LeagueSarasota Sun Sox, Melton made steady progress through the White Sox system, playing for the A-LeagueFox Cities Foxes, AAEvansville White Sox, and AAAHawaii Islanders (andSyracuse Chiefs while on loan to theNew York Yankees organization). At each level, he displayed the two characteristics that he would be known for throughout his playing career: a powerful bat and questionable fielding.[1]
Melton made his major league debut on May 4, 1968, and was a mainstay at third for the White Sox for the next seven years. After leading the Sox inhome runs in 1969 with 23, Melton came into his own in 1970, hitting 33 home runs, again leading the team and marking the first time a White Sox slugger had eclipsed the 30-home run mark in the history of the franchise.[2] In 1971, Melton had arguably his best season as he made the A.L. All-Star team and led theAmerican League with 33 home runs – the first time a White Sox player had led the league in home runs.[3] Melton's production declined in 1972 after he missed most of the season with twoherniated discs resulting from trying to break his son's fall from their garage roof.[4] 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 broadcasterHarry Caray, who often railed against Beltin' Bill for his fielding problems.[3] 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 led the league with 24 errors in 1974 and 26 in 1975.
On December 11, 1975 Melton was traded along withSteve Dunning from the White Sox to the California Angels forJim Spencer andMorris Nettles. Expected to become the newdesignated hitter, Melton was the second right-handed power batter along withBobby Bonds to have been obtained by the Angels that day.[2] His production continued to decrease as he hit .208 with 6 home runs in 118 games and he clashed with the managerDick Williams.[4] Following the 1976 season, he was traded again, this time to the Cleveland Indians, for a player to be named later (ultimately relief pitcherStan Perzanowski) and cash.[5] After appearing in only 50 games for the Indians in 1977, hitting only .241 with no home runs, he retired following the season.
At the time of his retirement, Melton was the White Sox all-time home run leader with 154.Harold Baines passed him in 1987 and entering the 2025 season he ranks ninth on the club's all-time list.[6]
In 1144 games over 10 seasons, Melton compiled a .253batting average (1004-for-3971) with 496runs, 162doubles, 9triples, 160home runs, 591RBI, 479base on balls, 669strikeouts, a .337on-base percentage, and a .419slugging percentage. Defensively, he recorded a .956fielding percentage at third base, first base, and right field.[7]
After working with his father manufacturing skateboard wheels and becoming a real estate agent following retirement, Melton took a position as a community relations representative and part-time scout for the White Sox in 1992. The next year, Melton was asked by White Sox GMRon Schueler to work with NBA superstarMichael Jordan on his batting swing.[8] Jordan had recently retired from the NBA and was trying to make a go at in professional baseball. In 1998, Melton was hired byWGN to be a White Sox pre- and postgame television analyst. In 2005, he was hired byComcast SportsNet Chicago in a similar position.[8]
Melton died following a brief illness inPhoenix, Arizona, on December 5, 2024, at the age of 79.[9]
[Bill Melton] put up some productive seasons in the late 1960s before breaking through with a career-making effort in 1971. Melton hit 33 home runs that summer (matching his total from the previous season), good enough to lead the American League in a power-deprived era while making him the first player in franchise history to set the league pace in home runs. His 1971 power output was even more impressive given the long dimensions at pitching-friendly Comiskey Park.
... Melton became involved in a frightening incident. He fell from the top of an eight-foot ladder while putting shingles on his patio roof. 'My four-year-old son, Billy, was on the roof, and I went up to get to him,' Melton explained toThe Sporting News.