White Sox great 'Beltin'' Bill Melton dead at 79

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The Chicago White Sox announced that "Beltin’" Bill Metlon, their former All-Star third baseman, died after a brief illness at 79 years old. 

"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," the team’s statement read. 

Melton was known for his powerful bat, crushing 33 homers in back-to-back seasons in 1970 and 1971, the latter of which he secured his lone All-Star bid. 

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Chicago White Sox Bill Melton hits a homer in a game against the Texas Rangers. (GETTY IMAGES)

Melton would hit 154 home runs for Chicago from 1968-75, which was a record for the organization until Harold Baines, the Hall of Fame outfielder, broke it in 1987. 

"Bill Melton enjoyed two tremendous careers with the White Sox," team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "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.

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"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."

Bill Melton, #14 of the Chicago White Sox, in action during a Major League Baseball spring training baseball game