Osvaldo “Ozzie” Virgil Sr., the primary participant from the Dominican Republic to play Main League Baseball, has died. He was 92 years outdated.
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 Metropolis Athletics, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates. He additionally performed for the Giants after the crew moved to San Francisco throughout the 1966 and 1969 seasons.
We’re deeply saddened to be taught of the passing of Ozzie Virgil Sr.
On September 23, 1956, Virgil made his debut with the New York Giants and have become the primary native of the Dominican Republic to play within the Main Leagues.
“He means rather a lot,” Juan Soto stated in 2023. “He was the… pic.twitter.com/cGhYkXJlaG
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2024
For his profession, Virgil batted .231 with a .594 OPS, 14 residence runs and 73 RBI in 324 video games. His finest 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 elsewhere within the infield. He performed each place besides middle subject and pitcher.
Born in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic, Virgil’s household emigrated to the USA when he was 13 years outdated and lived within the Bronx. After graduating highschool, Virgil served three years within the U.S. Marine Corps and he started taking part in skilled baseball after ending his service.
The #SFGiants are saddened to be taught of the passing of former Giants participant, Ozzie Virgil Sr.
Virgil was the primary native of the Dominican Republic to play within the Main Leagues. Our condolences exit to his household and pals 🧡 pic.twitter.com/Lktqggx3mT
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) September 29, 2024
“I knew I’d be the primary of my small nation to reach in the very best baseball league on the earth,” Virgil informed 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 might develop into one thing extraordinary.”
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 needs to be for my nation as vital as [Jackie] Robinson [is] to the African-American,” Corridor of Famer David Ortiz informed Rojas. “I would place his legacy up there with that of those that established our republic. … If I weren’t taking part in baseball, I’d almost definitely be working in my nation. I thank God day by day for [him] 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 crew in 1958 to start a three-season stint. He hit 5-for-5 in his first sport with Detroit.
The Tigers group mourns the passing of Ozzie Virgil Sr.
MLB’s first Dominican-born participant, Virgil spent three of his 9 Main League seasons with Detroit. He was honored for his contributions to the sport of baseball throughout ¡Fiesta Tigres! weekend in 2008. Our ideas… pic.twitter.com/GyA4OgMhw0
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 29, 2024
After ending his taking part in 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 below Corridor of Fame supervisor Dick Williams.
Whereas on Williams’ workers, Virgil coached within the 1984 World Collection and 1985 MLB All-Star Sport. In that All-Star Sport, he was in a position to coach his son, Ozzie Virgil Jr., who was named to the Nationwide League All-Star crew 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 rather a lot,” 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.”
