White Sox All-Star “Beltin’ Bill” Melton dies at 79

Chicago White Sox All-Star third baseman and broadcaster Bill Melton died Thursday in Phoenix after a brief illness. He was 79.

“Beltin’ Bill” led the American League with 33 home runs in 1971 and held the club’s career record with 154 home runs from 1968 to 1975 until 1987.

After one season each with the then-California Angels and the then-Cleveland Indians, Melton retired with a .253 batting average, 160 home runs and 591 RBIs in 1,144 games.

Melton became a White Sox television analyst on WGN in 1998. In 2005, he joined Comcast SportsNet Chicago in a similar role and continued broadcasting until his retirement in 2020.

“Bill Melton had two great careers with the White Sox,” said team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. “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.”

“…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 around baseball, and his booming voice will be missed by his wife Tess and all their family and friends.

Melton worked as a team ambassador and part-time scout for the White Sox in the early 1990s, including as hitting coach for NBA legend Michael Jordan in 1993.

Melton is survived by his wife; son Billy; daughter Jennifer; a grandson; and many other family members.

–Field level media