Former third baseman and broadcaster Bill Melton died today, Thursday, at the age of 79:

“Beltin’ Bill” hit 33 homers in both 1970 and 1971, when he led the American League and made his lone All-Star team. No White Sox player had hit 30 in a season or led the league prior to that.

His 154 homers with the White Sox from 1968 to 1975 were a club record until Hall of Famer Harold Baines broke it in 1987.

ESPN.com

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Melton represented the epitome of White Sox power at the time, but never slugged .500. Over the course of his career, he only slugged .419, making his ability to get on base his greatest strength as a hitter. He posted a career .337 OBP. He best season game in 1971 when he posted a 5.7 rWAR peaking a bit early at seasonal age 25.

Note that the White Sox missed the home run revolution, one reason Melton was able to set the team record in home runs. From 1920 to 1960, the 16 team power era, the White Sox hit the fewest home runs in the majors, 2437. Along with the 2464 Senators, these were the only teams to hit less than 3000 home runs in the time period.