MLB notebook: Hundreds pack funeral for White Sox great Minoso
Friends and family paid tribute Saturday to White Sox star Minnie Minoso at a funeral in Chicago, recalling the strength that enabled baseball's first black Latino player to smile through the hurt of racial taunts as well as his genuine love for his fans.
In a message read to the crowd, fellow Cuban and White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez, who was away for a game, said Minoso's courage paved the way for him and the younger generation of Latino ballplayers.
“Without Minnie, without his courage to leave Cuba for the major leagues, without his willingness to accept taunts and slights, none of us would be major leaguers,” he said. “... As I take the field today, a Cuban proudly wearing a White Sox jersey, I will do so thinking of Minnie.”
The Havana native died March 1. He was believed to be 90.
Fighting back tears, Charlie Rice-Minoso, 26, recalled his father's less widely known side — his love of dominoes, cooking enough food for an army, watching black and white cowboy movies until dawn and his tremendous superstitions.
Tanaka throws sim game
Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka looked sharp in his first simulated game.
The right-hander threw 23 of 29 pitches for strikes in the session broken down into two innings.
Tanaka could be ready to make his first exhibition start within a week.
Around the league
The Cubs said they will pay for funeral costs for Hall of Famer Ernie Banks after a funeral home filed a claim against his estate for $35,000.The claim was filed Wednesday by Donnellan Family Funeral Services. ... The Mets' Daniel Murphy is listed as day-to-day after X-rays on his right hand came back negative. The All-Star second baseman was hit on the hand by David Price's fastball in the second inning against Detroit on Friday. ... The Royals signed former All-Star pitcher Chris Young to a one-year contract and placed pitcher Kris Medlen on the 60-day disabled list to clear space on the 40-man roster. ... Nationals second baseman Yunel Escobar has a strained side and will be sidelined up to 10 days. ... Blue Jays reliever Brett Cecil has an inflamed shoulder.
