Bill Melton
From BR Bullpen
William Edwin Melton (Beltin' Melton)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
- School Citrus College
- Debut May 4, 1968
- Final Game August 30, 1977
- Born July 7, 1945 in Gulfport, MS USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Bill Melton played 10 seasons in the majors, hitting 160 home runs. He was the 1971 American League home run champ and was sixth in homers in 1970.
Melton was a big star in Chicago, where he played most of his career, posting double figures in home runs six separate times.
In 1970, Melton made 12 errors in his first 12 games at third base. The twelth error, misjudging a routine pop fly, broke his nose. From July 23-28 of the same year, he struck out in 11 consecutive at bats.
In 1971, he became the first home run leader to spend the entire season with the Chicago White Sox - after 70 seasons, they finally had the top homer man in the American League.
The Chicago announcer used to say that it was so hot, the third baseman is Meltin'.
Baseball Digest in 1988 reported that Melton was working as a real estate agent in Newport Beach, CA.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL All-Star (1971)
- AL Home Runs Leader (1971)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 5 (1969-1971, 1973 & 1974)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1970 & 1971)
