Ozzie Virgil Sr., MLB’s first player from Dominican Republic, dies at 92

byMihir Patel - 0



NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Ozzie Virgil Sr., the first Dominican-born player in the MLB, throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves on September 26, 2018 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Ozzie Virgil Sr., the primary Dominican-born participant in MLB, threw out a ceremonial first pitch earlier than a Sept. 2018 Braves-Mets sport at Citi Area. (Photograph by Elsa/Getty Pictures)

Osvaldo “Ozzie” Virgil Sr., the primary participant from the Dominican Republic to play Main League Baseball, has died. He was 92 years previous.

Virgil performed for 5 groups throughout his 9 seasons within the Main Leagues, starting his profession with the New York Giants in 1956. Moreover, he performed for the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates. He additionally performed for the Giants after the staff moved to San Francisco throughout the 1966 and 1969 seasons.

For his profession, Virgil batted .231 with a .594 OPS, 14 residence runs and 73 RBI in 324 video games. His greatest season was in 1957, when he hit .235 with a .583 OPS, two triples, 4 homers, 24 RBI and two stolen bases.

Virgil was principally a 3rd baseman (189 video games, 114 begins) throughout his profession, but in addition performed at catcher and outfielder, and made some appearances within the infield as nicely. He performed each place besides middle subject and pitcher.

Born in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic, Virgil’s household emigrated to america when he was 13 years previous and lived within the Bronx. After graduating highschool, Virgil served three years within the Marine Corps and he started enjoying skilled baseball after ending his service.

“I knew I’d be the primary of my small nation to reach in one of the best baseball league on the earth,” Virgil told ESPNDeportes’ Enrique Rojas in 2006, the 50-year anniversary of his main league debut. “However what I by no means suspected was that in time, it will turn out to be one thing atypical.

Virgil batted 0-for-4 in his first sport, however stated he felt as if he’d “completed 4-for-4,” contemplating what he achieved.

“Virgil must be for my nation as essential as [Jackie] Robinson [is] to the African-American,” Corridor of Famer David Ortiz told Rojas. “I would place his legacy up there with that of those that established our republic. … If I weren’t enjoying baseball, I’d almost definitely be working in my nation. I thank God day by day for opening the doorways to the massive leagues for me.”

Along with being the primary native of the Dominican Republic to play within the majors, Virgil was the primary particular person of shade to play for the Detroit Tigers, traded to the staff in 1958 to start a three-season stint. He hit 5-for-5 in his first sport with Detroit.

After ending his enjoying profession, Virgil coached within the majors for 19 years with the Giants, Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. With Montreal, San Diego and Seattle, he was the third base coach beneath Corridor of Fame supervisor Dick Williams.

Whereas on Williams’ workers, Virgil coached within the 1984 World Sequence and 1985 MLB All-Star Recreation. In that All-Star Recreation, he was capable of coach his son, Ozzie Virgil Jr., who was named to the Nationwide League All-Star staff as a reserve catcher from the Philadelphia Phillies. The junior Virgil had a two-run single to assist the NL to a 6–1 win.

“He means lots,” New York Yankees star Juan Soto stated to MLB.com’s David Venn in 2023. “He was the primary Dominican coming to the massive leagues and opened the doorways for lots of Dominicans — and never solely Dominicans, for all Latin gamers.”




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