Chicago building pays tribute to Minnie Minoso

With loss comes a time to celebrate life and to honor all the dearly departed contributed to his or her community. On Friday evening, the City of Chicago did just that by lighting up the downtown Blue Cross Blue Shield building in tribute to White Sox legend Minnie Minoso, who died on March 1 at the reported age of 90.

To honor Minoso completely for his contributions to baseball, the Chicago community, and the world in general, is an impossible task. In his six historic decades in the game, Minoso helped open the doors for black Cubans to live their dreams. In his 64 years representing Chicago as a player, ambassador, and above all, a beloved resident, he brought people together through his skills on the field and his compassion and charisma off it.

He was a pioneer, an ambassador, an extraordinary talent, with a one-of-a-kind personality, whose impact couldn't possibly be measured.

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With that said, this simple thank you from a still mourning city speaks volumes of the appreciation that's felt, and the respect he earned for a life honorably lived. It's the same way Chicago felt about "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks, who rightfully received the same honor when he died in January.

If there's a message to be taken from these remarkable tributes, it's that the lights of Chicago will continue to shine brightly, but the soul of the city will never be the same without Minnie Minoso and Ernie Banks.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813