MLB is in a state of mourning as one of its greats has left us. On Thursday, Dec. 5, former Chicago White Sox All-Star Bill Melton passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, following a brief illness. He was 79 years old. Melton, often referred to as “Beltin’ Bill” or “Beltin’ Melton,” had a remarkable career as a third baseman for the Chicago White Sox from 1968 to 1977.

Melton's Baseball Achievements

In 1971, Melton was named the American League home run champion and was selected to the All-Star team that same year. He held the record for the White Sox's all-time home run leader until 1987 when he was surpassed by Harold Baines. His performance on the field was a testament to his skill and dedication. However, his career was marred by an injury in 1972. While trying to save his son from falling off a roof, he herniated two discs, which led to a decline in his performance. Despite this setback, Melton continued to make an impact in the baseball world.After retiring from baseball in 1977, Melton embarked on a new chapter in his life. He took on several different jobs, one of which was helping Michael Jordan during his brief stint as a baseball player in 1993.

Helping Michael Jordan

“My job was just to show him setups, look at a lot of videos of some guys that I liked, that I thought had good swings, good setups…,” Melton told MLB in 2020. “So, my deal was just simply to get him ready for Spring Training and talk to him.” Jordan, who joined the NBA in 1984 and famously retired from basketball in 1993 shortly after his father's murder, signed a Minor League Baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox in 1994. He played for their AA affiliate, the Birmingham Barons. Melton's role in helping Jordan prepare for baseball was crucial.

Jordan's Baseball Journey

“I thought MJ, he had the speed, he had the arm, he definitely would’ve probably had the power, but it takes more than one year to kind of figure out what you’re doing,” Melton told WGN in 2020. “He was there, full-throated, interested, never missed a day, punctual, on time, and had a real interest in wanting to play Major League Baseball.” Jordan gave baseball a shot as a tribute to his late father and retired from the sport in 1995. He then returned to play basketball for the Chicago Bulls mid-way through their 1994-1995 season and stayed with them until 1998.After working with Jordan, Melton became the White Sox pre- and postgame television analyst for WGN in 1998 and later joined NBC Sports Chicago in 2005. He retired from broadcasting in 2020.The White Sox issued an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Bill Melton, who played 10 seasons in the major leagues, including eight with the White Sox, and served as a popular pre and postgame analyst for White Sox telecasts for over two decades, passed away early this morning in Phoenix after a brief illness. He was 79 years old.” The team's chairman, Jerry Reinsdorf, also paid tribute to Melton. In a statement to Fox News, he said, “Bill Melton enjoyed two tremendous careers with the White Sox. His first came 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 ballpark. Bill’s second career came as a well-liked and respected pre- and postgame television analyst, where on a nightly basis Sox fans saw his passion for the team, win or lose. Bill was a friend to many at the White Sox and around baseball, and his booming voice will be missed.”Melton is survived by his wife, Tess, and his two children, son Billy and daughter Jennifer.