Books and articles about Bill Melton

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Going into the last day of the 1971 season, Bill Melton found himself in a three-way tie with Reggie Jackson and Norm Cash for the AL home run lead, with 32. A dead pull hitter, he sent a breaking ball from Milwaukee's Bill Parsons into the left-field stands, becoming the first White Sox player to win a home run title. It was his second straight 33-HR year. But for much of his time in Chicago, he was the target of broadcaster Harry Caray, who drew attention to the third baseman's fielding inadequacies. Melton took the criticisms to heart, and when his production fell off after missing most of 1972 with a herniated disc, he was berated in Chicago. Thankful for his December 1975 trade to the Angels, he left the White Sox as their all-time HR leader, with 154. In 1970 he became the first AL player to strike out ten times over three consecutive games. (RL)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 24, 1969: The White Sox sweep a pair from the Pilots, winning 6–4 and 7–6 with reliever Wilbur Wood winning both games. In game 2, Bill Melton hits three consecutive homers, in the 2nd, 4th and 6th innings, but it takes a homer by Ed Herrmann in the 9th to win it. Reliever Wilbur Wood is the winner in both games, giving up a hit in three 2/3 innings in Game One and a hit in two innings of game 2. Jim Bouton pitches in both games for Seattle without allowing a run in three 2/3 innings. » July 24, 1970: Chicago's Bill Melton ties the major-league record by striking out seven times in a doubleheader split with Detroit. Melton will strike out his first three times up in his next game, in Baltimore on the 28th, before flying out in the 9th. The Sox win the opener today, 5–2 with six straight singles and five runs in the 9th. The Tigers win the nitecap, 5–4, in the 9th when Don Wert draws a walk from Wilbur Wood with the sacks full. » September 9, 1970: California's Alex Johnson becomes the 3rd player in history to put one into the CF bleachers at Comiskey Park when he connects in the 6th against Chicago's Billy Wynne in a 2–1 loss in eight innings. The Sox also win the opener, 11–4, to break their eight game losing streak. Bill Melton leads to 5-homer offense with a pair and five RBIs. » September 20, 1970: Bill Melton sets a White Sox club record with his 30th home run (Eddie Robinson had the mark with 29) leading Chicago to an 8–4 win over the Royals in game 1. Kansas City's Jim York makes his ML debut in the nitecap, pitching four 2/3 innings of relief in winning his first game, 8–2. Paid attendance at Comiskey is 672. » September 30, 1971: Chicago finishes the season by edging the last-place Brewers, 2–1, on Bill Melton's 33rd home run of the year. Melton is the first American League home run leader in Sox history. » December 11, 1975: The White send Bill Melton and Steve Dunning to California for 1B Jim Spencer and OF Morris Nettles. » May 26, 1976: In a scoreless game in Anaheim, Chicago's Ken Brett has a no-hitter with two out in the 9th when California's Jerry Remy tops a slow roller down the 3B line. 3B Jorge Orta lets the ball roll and, in a controversial ruling, it is scored a hit, though many thought it ought to be ruled an error. Brett gives up a hit in the 10th to ex-Sox Bill Melton but wins the game 1–0 in 11 innings.