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Bill Melton, the first Chicago White Sox player to hit 30 home runs in a season and the first to lead the American League in homers, died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at age 79.

The Sox said Melton, who played eight of his 10 major-league seasons for them, died in Phoenix after a brief illness.

White Sox third baseman Bill Melton, left, first baseman Dick Allen and center fielder Carlos May on opening day at Comiskey Park on April 11, 1973. (baiduhai)
White Sox third baseman Bill Melton, from left, first baseman Dick Allen and center fielder Carlos May on opening day at Comiskey Park on April 11, 1973. (baiduhai)
The White Sox scoreboard explodes after Bill Melton hit a game-ending 12th inning homer against the Yankees on July 27, 1971. (Bob Fila / Chicago Today)
The White Sox scoreboard explodes after Bill Melton hit a game-ending 12th inning homer against the Yankees on July 27, 1971. (Bob Fila / Chicago Today)
The White Sox' Bill Melton, circa 1975. (White Sox)
The White Sox’s Bill Melton, circa 1975. (White Sox)
The White Sox Bill Melton scores during a pivotal sixth inning as Chicago registers a 2-1 triumph on July 10, 1973, at Comiskey Park. (Ray Gora/baiduhai)
The White Sox Bill Melton scores during a pivotal sixth inning as Chicago registers a 2-1 triumph on July 10, 1973, at Comiskey Park. (Ray Gora/baiduhai)
The White Sox' Bill Melton scores after a blast over Comiskey Park's right field fence on May 21, 1972. (baiduhai)
The White Sox' Bill Melton scores after a blast over Comiskey Park's right field fence on May 21, 1972. (baiduhai)
White Sox Pitcher Steve Kealey got out of bases-loaded jam in ninth inning by taking Cesar Gutierrez's popup away from Third Baseman Bill Melton to earn second save of season, June 6, 1971. (Ed Wagner Jr./Chicago Today)
White Sox Pitcher Steve Kealey got out of bases-loaded jam in ninth inning by taking Cesar Gutierrez's popup away from Third Baseman Bill Melton to earn second save of season, June 6, 1971. (Ed Wagner Jr./Chicago Today)
White Sox manager Chuck Tanner (31) congratulates Bill Melton (14) upon his return to the dugout on Sept. 21, 1970. (baiduhai)
White Sox manager Chuck Tanner (31) congratulates Bill Melton (14) upon his return to the dugout on Sept. 21, 1970. (baiduhai)
Bill Melton's swing helped the White Sox hitter lead the American League with 33 homers in 1971. (Bob Fila/Chicago Today)
Bill Melton's swing helped the White Sox hitter lead the American League with 33 homers in 1971. (Bob Fila/Chicago Today)
It's hail to White Sox's new single-season home run king, Bill Melton, center, from teammates Gail Hopkins, left, and Carlos May, right, on Sept. 21, 1970. Melton set a record with his 30th blast during the White Sox' game against Kansas City. (Bob Fila / Chicago Today)
It's hail to White Sox's new single-season home run king, Bill Melton, center, from teammates Gail Hopkins, left, and Carlos May, right, on Sept. 21, 1970. Melton set a record with his 30th blast during the White Sox' game against Kansas City. (Bob Fila / Chicago Today)
Bill Melton, having already been congratulated by White Sox teammate Dick Allen [15], is greeted by Carlos May after hitting game-winning three-run homer in sixth inning of last night's game in Comiskey Park, June 9, 1972. (Ed Wagner Jr./baiduhai)
Bill Melton, having already been congratulated by White Sox teammate Dick Allen [15], is greeted by Carlos May after hitting game-winning three-run homer in sixth inning of last night's game in Comiskey Park, June 9, 1972. (Ed Wagner Jr./baiduhai)
White Sox's Bill Melton barrels into Dave Duncan and scores in the sixth inning as the throw eludes the Oakland A's catcher on Sept. 15, 1971. Melton injured the outside of his left knee on the play and had to leave the game. (Ed Wagner Jr./Chicago Today)
White Sox's Bill Melton barrels into Dave Duncan and scores in the sixth inning as the throw eludes the Oakland A's catcher on Sept. 15, 1971. Melton injured the outside of his left knee on the play and had to leave the game. (Ed Wagner Jr./Chicago Today)
The White Sox Bill Melton at bat, circa June 1973. It was Bill Melton's fielding, not his batting, that got him into trouble in Baltimore during the 1970 season. (Jim De Pree/Chicago Today)
The White Sox Bill Melton at bat, circa June 1973. It was Bill Melton’s fielding, not his batting, that got him into trouble in Baltimore during the 1970 season. (Jim De Pree/Chicago Today)
Former Chicago White Sox player Bill Melton throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the White Sox and the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago on May 3, 2018. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Former Chicago White Sox player Bill Melton throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the White Sox and the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago on May 3, 2018. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Members of the Chicago White Sox All-Century Team cheer as Carlton Fisk throws out the ceremonial first pitch of the White Sox home opener against the Detroit Tigers to Sox catcher Josh Paul, April 6, 2001 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. From left are Bill Melton, Chico Carrasquel, Ozzie Guillen, Wilbur Wood, Gary Peters, Fisk, Billy Pierce, Orestes "Minnie" Minoso, and Jim Landis. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Members of the Chicago White Sox All-Century Team cheer as Carlton Fisk throws out the ceremonial first pitch of the White Sox home opener against the Detroit Tigers to Sox catcher Josh Paul, April 6, 2001 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. From left are Bill Melton, Chico Carrasquel, Ozzie Guillen, Wilbur Wood, Gary Peters, Fisk, Billy Pierce, Orestes "Minnie" Minoso, and Jim Landis. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Harold Baines and Jerry Reinsdorf and Bill Melton during the Chicago White Sox Charities, Beyond The Diamond held at United Center Chicago, April 10, 2018. (James C. Svehla/For the baiduhai)
Harold Baines and Jerry Reinsdorf and Bill Melton during the Chicago White Sox Charities, Beyond The Diamond held at United Center Chicago, April 10, 2018. (James C. Svehla/For the baiduhai)