The Chicago White Sox announced that former All-Star third baseman “Bertin” Bill Metron has passed away at the age of 79 after a brief illness.
Bill Melton, who played 10 seasons in the Major Leagues, including eight seasons with the White Sox, and was a popular pre- and postgame analyst on White Sox television broadcasts for more than 20 years, was announced to the Phoenix Police Department early this morning due to a brief illness. '', the team's statement said.
Melton was known for his powerful bat, hitting 33 home runs in back-to-back seasons in 1970 and 1971, earning his only All-Star berth in the latter.
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Bill Melton of the Chicago White Sox hit a home run in a game against the Texas Rangers. (Getty Images)
Melton hit 154 home runs with Chicago from 1968 to 1975, a franchise record until Hall of Fame outfielder Harold Baynes broke it in 1987.
“Bill Melton enjoyed two outstanding careers with the White Sox,” team president Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “He first emerged as the famous home run king of the White Sox teams in the early 1970s, where the 'Beltin Bill' empowered teams to play their home games in pitcher-friendly ballparks.
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“Bill's second career came as a popular and respected television analyst before and after games, where Sox fans watched his passion for the team night after night, win or lose. Bill White “He was a friend to many in the Sox and baseball world,” and his booming voice will be missed.
Bill Melton, No. 14 of the Chicago White Sox, in action during a Major League Baseball spring training baseball game in Sarasota, Florida, circa 1973. Melton played for the White Sox from 1968 to 1975. (Focus on Sports/Getty Images)
Melton played seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians before retiring after the 1997 season. He finished his career with a batting average of .253/.337/.419, 160 home runs, 591 RBI, and 1,004 hits.
But, as Reinsdorf notes, Melton's second career in baseball was just as prosperous.
He became a White Sox analyst on WGN in 1998 before joining Comcast SportsNet Chicago in 2005. He then served as an analyst for the White Sox until 2020, when he retired.
Bill Melton, one of the Chicago White Sox players selected to the 1971 American League All-Star Team, leads the American League with 20 home runs as of July 10. (Getty Images)
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Between his playing and broadcasting retirements, Melton was also known as a part-time scout and team ambassador for the White Sox, most famously as a hitting instructor in 1993 when NBA great Michael Jordan was playing in the team's minor leagues. He served as
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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