Henry John “Zeke” Bonura

B: Sep 20, 1908, New Orleans, LA — D: Mar 9, 1987, New Orleans, LA

Zeke was a feared hitter and a colorful, if controversial, first baseman. At age sixteen Bonura set an AAU record in the javelin toss. He set White Sox team rookie records for home runs and RBIs that stood for decades. He usually led the AL in fielding percentage, primarily by waving his glove at ground balls as they came past in what came to be known as the Bonura salute. Frustrated by his lack of effort, the Sox traded Bonura to Washington. Zeke served in the military from 1942 to 1945, after which he managed in the minors for several years.