Bill Melton was a longtime third baseman for the Chicago White Sox who became the first Sox player to lead the American League in home runs when he accomplished the feat in 1971.
- Died: December 5, 2024 (Who else died on December 5?)
- Details of death: Died in Phoenix after a brief illness at the age of 79.
- We invite you to share condolences for Bill Melton in our Guest Book.
Bill Melton’s legacy
Melton earned the nickname “Beltin’ Bill” for a reason: he slammed 33 home runs in 1971 to lead the American League, his second year in a row with over 30 during an era when pitchers ruled the game. In doing so, he became the first White Sox player to lead the league in homers.
Melton’s talent with the bat was apparent early. He was signed right out of high school in 1964, and he made his major league debut in 1968. He settled in at third base and remained there for almost a decade. At 23, in 1969, he led the team in home runs with 23. The next year, he did it again, this time with 33. His All-Star season of 1971, during which he led the league in homers, put him on the map as a slugger of the future.
However, a series of injuries starting in 1972, including two herniated discs, all but robbed him of his power. He’d only surpass 20 home runs twice more in his career.
For a time, Melton worked outside of sports following his retirement after the 1977 season, but in 1992, he returned to the sports world, first in community relations for the White Sox, and then as a broadcast analyst. In 2005, he joined the team at Comcast SportsNet Chicago to continue his broadcasting career.
Melton retired with 160 home runs, 154 of them with the White Sox. That was good enough to make him the team’s all-time leader until Harold Baines passed his mark in 1987.
Tributes to Bill Melton
Full obituary: Chicago Tribune
