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"Beltin' Bill Melton, White Sox Star & Jordan's Baseball Guide, 79"

2024-12-06

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.

For baseball enthusiasts, the MLB draft lottery has emerged as a captivating spectacle over the past three years. It has transformed from a relatively unknown event to one that holds the attention of fans worldwide. The ping pong balls now determine the fate of teams vying for the top picks, adding an element of excitement and unpredictability.

Uncover the Surprises of the 2025 MLB Draft Lottery

When Is The MLB Draft Lottery?

This year's draft lottery is scheduled to take place during the Winter Meetings in Dallas on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. ET. It is a highly anticipated event that brings together teams and fans alike, as they await the results that could shape the future of their favorite franchises.

The Winter Meetings provide a unique backdrop for the lottery, with teams and executives gathering to discuss various aspects of the game. The draft lottery adds an extra layer of excitement to this already bustling event, as teams hope to secure a top pick and build their rosters for the future.

How To Stream The 2025 MLB Draft Lottery?

The event will be broadcast on MLB Network and streamed live on MLB.com, ensuring that fans from all over the world can tune in and witness the excitement. Whether you prefer to watch on television or stream online, there are multiple options available to ensure that you don't miss a moment of the action.

MLB Network provides comprehensive coverage of the draft lottery, with expert analysts and commentators providing insights and analysis throughout the event. MLB.com offers a live stream, allowing fans to follow the lottery in real-time and get the latest updates as they happen.

How Does The MLB Draft Lottery Work?

As part of the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2022, MLB implemented a draft lottery to address the issue of tanking. All eligible non-playoff teams are entered into the lottery, with odds determined by their standings. Ping pong balls are placed in an air-blown lottery machine, and a ball labeled with a number is produced every 15 seconds. Four balls are collected to create a four-digit code corresponding to a certain team.

The process is repeated until the top six lottery spots are filled. Once complete, the remaining lottery teams are slotted according to their original odds. This system ensures that teams with poorer records have a higher chance of winning the top pick, while also providing some level of fairness to all teams.

Which Teams Have The Best Odds?

The Rockies and Marlins enter the draft lottery with the best odds to win at 22.45% each, followed closely by the Angels at 17.96%. The Diamondbacks have the worst odds at just 0.20%. These odds are determined by a complex formula that takes into account various factors, including team records and standings.

It's important to note that the odds can change from year to year based on team performance. A team that has a poor record one year may improve the following year and see their odds decrease. Conversely, a team that has a strong season may see their odds increase for the next draft lottery.

Why Aren’t The White Sox & A’s Included In The Lottery?

Despite having poor records in 2024, neither the White Sox nor the Athletics are eligible to receive a lottery pick. The White Sox received a lottery pick in the 2024 draft and pay into revenue sharing, meaning they can't have lottery picks in back-to-back drafts. The Athletics, on the other hand, received lottery picks in the 2023 and 2024 drafts and receive revenue sharing, so they can't have lottery picks in three consecutive drafts.

This penalty is designed to prevent teams from intentionally tanking their seasons in order to secure a top pick. By limiting the number of consecutive lottery picks a team can receive, MLB aims to promote competitive balance and ensure that the best teams are rewarded on the field.

The Non-Lottery Teams And Their Draft Order

The non-lottery eligible teams, which include the eight postseason teams, have their draft order determined by a combination of postseason finish, regular season standings, and revenue sharing status. This year's draft order is as follows:19. Orioles20. Brewers21. Astros22. Braves23. Royals24. Tigers25. Padres26. Phillies27. Guardians28. Mets29. Yankees30. Dodgers

Each team's draft position is based on their performance during the regular season and their playoff results. The top teams in the standings have the first pick, while the bottom teams have the later picks. This system ensures that teams are rewarded for their success on the field and provides an opportunity for teams to rebuild and improve their rosters.

Who Are The Top Prospects Available For The 2025 Draft?

The 2025 draft class is shaping up to be stronger than the 2024 class, with a deep and solid group of high school prospects. While there is no clear-cut and obvious pick for the No. 1 overall spot yet, there are several talented players vying for that distinction.

In September, Baseball America published its updated ranking of the top 100 draft prospects for 2025. The list is topped by Jace LaViolette, a Texas A&M outfielder who combines a special blend of tools, athleticism, and college production as a left-handed hitter. His performance on the field has caught the attention of scouts and experts alike, and he is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft.

There are also other notable prospects in the 2025 draft class, including pitchers with impressive velocity and control, infielders with strong hitting and defensive skills, and outfielders with speed and power. The competition for the top picks is fierce, and it will be interesting to see how the draft unfolds.

On Thursday morning, Oregon baseball made a significant announcement by releasing its 2025 regular-season schedule. This schedule holds great importance as it showcases 56 games, with 30 of them being Big Ten Conference games and 36 home games set to commence at PK Park on February 14th against Toledo. The excitement around this schedule is palpable, and it promises an action-packed season for Duck fans.

Oregon Baseball's 2025 Schedule - A Season of Excitement and Challenges

Opening the Season with a 13-Game Homestand

Oregon kicks off the 2025 season with a remarkable 13-game homestand. This stretch includes hosting Toledo from February 14th to 16th, followed by Rhode Island from February 21st to 23rd, and Columbia from February 28th to March 2nd. The homestand concludes with a midweek game against Utah Tech on March 4th. It's an exciting start to the season, with fans eagerly anticipating the action on their home turf.After this intense homestand, Oregon begins its Big Ten play the following week. They face USC in a three-game set in Irvine, California, from March 7th to 9th. This marks the beginning of their conference journey, and the team will be looking to make a strong impression.

Big Ten Play and Home Stands

Following the USC series, Oregon returns home for an eight-game homestand. The homestand opens with a pair of non-conference games against Grand Canyon from March 11th to 12th. This provides an opportunity for the team to build momentum before facing Big Ten opponents.Oregon will host Minnesota in its first-ever Big Ten game at PK Park from March 14th to 16th. This is a significant moment for the program as they take on a new conference rival in their home stadium. The homestand concludes with a three-game series against Rutgers from March 21st to 23rd.In total, Oregon will host nine weekend series, five of which will feature Big Ten Conference opponents. This includes hosting Michigan from April 4th to 6th, UCLA from April 18th to 20th, and Washington from May 9th to 11th. These matchups against top conference teams will test the Ducks' skills and determination.

Rivalry with Oregon State

The Ducks will continue their long-standing rivalry with Oregon State. They will face the Beavers four times in five days in late April. The series begins with a three-game set at PK Park from April 25th to 27th, followed by a midweek game in Corvallis on April 29th. These games are always highly anticipated and add an extra layer of excitement to the season.

Home and Road Schedules

Oregon's home schedule also features six midweek games at PK Park. In addition to Utah Tech and Grand Canyon, they will host West Coast Conference opponents Portland on March 12th and Saint Mary's from May 6th to 7th. These midweek games provide opportunities for the team to fine-tune their skills and build team chemistry.On the road, the Ducks will play four conference series. They start with Ohio State from March 28th to 30th, followed by Maryland from April 11th to 13th, Michigan State from May 2nd to 4th, and Iowa from May 15th to 17th. They will also play midweek road games at Portland on April 2nd and at Georgetown on April 14th, as well as a two-game midweek series at Kent State from March 25th to 26th. These road trips will take the team across the nation, facing postseason regulars and testing their abilities in different environments.The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Oregon baseball. Joining the Big Ten Conference with other traditional Pac-12 powerhouses will enhance the league's competitiveness. The schedule features 36 home games at beautiful PK Park, providing a great home advantage for the Ducks. There are also eight non-conference opportunities against teams predicted to win their respective leagues. Matching up against top Big Ten programs like Michigan, Ohio State, Maryland, and Iowa while maintaining games against former Pac foes like Washington, UCLA, and USC will be a real challenge. Midweek strength of schedule will be bolstered by playing series across the nation against postseason regulars Kent State, Georgetown, and Grand Canyon. The coaching staff is excited about these new opportunities and looks forward to continuing the program's progress, with their sights set on earning a chance to play for a National Championship in Omaha this June.