Former Chicago White Sox participant and broadcaster Invoice Melton has handed away on the age of 79 after a quick sickness, the workforce confirmed on Thursday.
Melton made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 1968, and earned the nickname “Beltin’ Invoice” Melton for his prodigious energy and penchant for driving in clutch RBI’s.
Invoice Melton, who performed 10 seasons within the main leagues, together with eight with the White Sox, and served as a well-liked pre and postgame analyst for White Sox telecasts for over 20 years, handed away early this morning in Phoenix after a quick sickness. He was 79 years previous. pic.twitter.com/I5A81Zd8No
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 5, 2024
“Invoice Melton loved two great careers with the White Sox,” White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf stated in a press release. “His first got here as a celebrated dwelling run king for White Sox groups within the early Seventies, the place ‘Beltin Invoice’ introduced energy to a franchise that performed its dwelling video games in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. Photographs of Invoice carrying his dwelling run crown and others of him posing with ballpark organist Nancy Faust nonetheless generate smiles to this present day. Invoice’s second profession got here as a popular and revered pre and postgame tv analyst, the place on a nightly foundation Sox followers noticed his ardour for the workforce, win or lose. Invoice was a pal to many on the White Sox and round baseball, and his booming voice shall be missed. Our sympathies exit to his spouse Tess, and all of their household and pals.”
In 10 MLB seasons, primarily with the White Sox, Melton hit 160 profession dwelling runs and drove in 591 RBI’s. He was the White Sox chief in profession dwelling runs earlier than he was handed by Harold Baines, with two consecutive seasons of 30-plus dwelling runs and three seasons of 80-plus RBI’s with the South Siders.
Melton grew to become the primary participant to hit 30 or extra dwelling runs for the White Sox in a single season when he achieved the feat in 1970.
He was an All-Star within the 1971 season for Chicago, and obtained MVP votes for the primary time in his MLB profession.
After his enjoying profession ended, Melton served as an analyst on White Sox broadcasts for greater than 20 years, together with his run at NBC Sports activities Chicago. That run included the workforce’s 2005 World Collection championship, with Melton changing into a beloved determine on broadcasts along with his signature blunt fashion in discussing the ups and lows of every sport.
Melton is survived by his spouse, Tess and his kids Billy and Jennifer.
