Former White Sox star anchor Bill Melton dies at 79 – NBC Chicago

Former Chicago White Sox player and broadcaster Bill Melton has died at age 79 after a brief illness, the team confirmed Thursday.

Melton made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 1968 and was nicknamed “Beltin’ Bill” Melton for his incredible power and penchant for driving in clutch RBIs.

Bill Melton, who played 10 seasons in the Major Leagues, including eight with the White Sox, and served as a popular pregame and postgame analyst for White Sox television broadcasts for more than two decades, died early this morning in Phoenix after a brief illness. He was 79 years old. pic.twitter.com/I5A81Zd8No

–Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 5, 2024

“Bill Melton had two great careers with the White Sox,” White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “He got his start as a celebrated home run king for White Sox teams in the early 1970s, where ‘Beltin Bill’ brought power to a franchise that played its home games in a pitcher-friendly stadium.” Photos of Bill, the wearing his home run crown, and others of him posing with ballpark organist Nancy Faust still bring smiles to this day. Bill’s second career began as a popular and respected pre- and post-game television analyst where Sox fans saw his passion for the team every night, whether they won or lost. Bill was a friend to many on the White Sox and in baseball, and his booming voice will be missed. Our condolences go out to his wife Tess and their entire family and friends.

In 10 MLB seasons, mostly with the White Sox, Melton hit 160 home runs and drove in 591 RBIs. Before being passed by Harold Baines, he was the White Sox all-time leader in home runs, with two consecutive 30-plus home run seasons and three 80-plus RBI seasons with the South Siders.

Melton became the first player to hit 30 or more home runs in a single season for the White Sox when he accomplished the feat in 1970.

He was an All-Star for Chicago in the 1971 season and received MVP votes for the first time in his MLB career.

After his playing career ended, Melton served as a White Sox broadcast analyst for more than two decades, including at NBC Sports Chicago. That run also included the team’s 2005 World Series championship, during which Melton became a popular figure on the broadcasts with his signature blunt style discussing the highs and lows of each game.

Melton is survived by his wife Tess and his children Billy and Jennifer.