WSC Birth Years: Will Ferrell

Card #174 - Will Ferrell

Born: July 16, 1967

On March 12, 2015, Will was traded to the Chicago White Sox by the Cincinnati Reds. The former Reds third baseman became the new White Sox designated hitter and the Pale Hose became Ferrell's seventh team in one day.

Will made a spectacular entrance via helicopter into center field, where he swaggered to the dugout to receive instruction. Ferrell struck out on five pitches in his only appearance and was quickly traded to the opposing San Francisco Giants to be their new catcher. He changed uniforms in the Giants dugout and was inserted into the game, becoming the first person to be traded and play for both teams in the same half inning of a single game.

Ferrell started off playing shortstop for the Oakland Athletics, who then traded him to the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners played him at second base, but them they traded him to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who put Will in center field replacing Mike Trout. The Angels traded Ferrell to the Chicago Cubs for a washing machine. The Cubs used Will as a third base coach, then decided he should man first base. He made his first plate appearance and struck out. The Diamondbacks acquired Ferrell for some ballpark food and put him in left field. Will was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, who played him at first base. The Reds traded him to the White Sox, who used him as their DH. The Sox traded Ferrell to the Giants, who played him behind the plate. The Giants traded Will to the Dodgers, who used him as a pitcher. The Dodgers then traded Ferrel to the Padres, who put him in right field.

WSC Birth Years: Minnie Minoso

Card #173 - Minnie Minoso

Born: November 29, 1925

As the first black Cuban player to appear in the MLB, Minnie paved the way for countless athletes after him. After becoming a star in the Cuban and Negro Leagues, Minoso signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians and made his MLB debut on April 19, 1949. He bounced between the parent club and the minors, mostly due to racial tensions of the time and not lack of talent, until he was traded to the Chicago White Sox on April 30, 1951, in a three team trade also involving the Philadelphia Athletics.

Minnie hit Chicago with a bang, hitting a 415 foot home run on the very first pitch he saw in his first at-bat against the Yankees on May 1, 1951. The Cuban Comet was second only to Mickey Mantle in WAR, runs scored, total bases, extra base hits, most times on base and runs created from 1951 until 1961 in the American League. He was second to Nellie Fox in triples and hits in the AL from 1951 to 1961. Minoso was also second to Luis Aparicio in stolen bases in the same period in the American League. Minnie would stay with the ChiSox from 1951 until 1957 before being traded to the Cleveland Indians for the 1958 and 1959 seasons. He came back to Chicago for the 1960 and 1961 seasons, spent 1962 playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, played for the Washington Senators during the 1963 season, and came back to the White Sox for the 1964, 1976 and 1980 seasons. He made appearances with the Miami Miracle of the Florida State League and the St. Paul Saints in 2003, to become the only player to have played professionally in seven different decades.

Minoso (aka Mr. White Sox) would make public relations appearances with the Chicago White Sox, up until his death on March 1, 2015. No matter where he went in his baseball life, Minnie always came back to the White Sox.

RIP Minnie Minoso

“I know that baseball fans have me in their own Hall of Fame -- the one in their hearts. That matters more to me than any official recognition. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be, and I am truly honored to be considered. I've given my life to baseball, and the game has given me so much.” ~ Minnie Minoso