Monte Irvin, Hall of Fame Giants outfielder, dead at 96
- 8 years ago
Monte Irvin, the graceful Hall of Fame New York Giants outfielder who won titles in both the Negro Leagues and in the majors, and who, along with Jackie Robinson, was one of baseball’s early pioneers in helping integrate America’s Pastime, while also helping mentor a young Willie Mays, died Monday in Houston, where he lived.
He was 96.
“He was very, very helpful to me,” Mays told the Daily News on Tuesday about his early days with the Giants.
“He’s like my second father.”
Irvin was also a great player who, because of the color barrier, didn’t start his career until he was 30.
In eight big league seasons, seven with the Giants, Irvin batted .293, with a high of .329 in 1953, and clubbed 99 home runs with 443 RBI.
He was 96.
“He was very, very helpful to me,” Mays told the Daily News on Tuesday about his early days with the Giants.
“He’s like my second father.”
Irvin was also a great player who, because of the color barrier, didn’t start his career until he was 30.
In eight big league seasons, seven with the Giants, Irvin batted .293, with a high of .329 in 1953, and clubbed 99 home runs with 443 RBI.