Ozzie Virgil Sr. (1932-2024) Baseball player
Ozzie Virgil Sr. (1932-2024) Baseball player, Osvaldo José Virgil Pichardo was a Dominican professional baseball player and coach. He was the first person from the Dominican Republic to play in Major League Baseball (MLB), appearing in 324 MLB games between 1956 and 1969 as a utility player for the New York / San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ozzie Virgil Sr. Bio, Life, Career and Death
| Ozzie Virgil Sr. | Details |
|---|
| Name | Ozzie Virgil |
| Position | Utility player |
| Born | May 17, 1932 |
| Birthplace | Monte Cristi Province, Dominican Republic |
| Died | c. September 29, 2024 (aged 92) |
| Death Place | Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic |
| Batted | Right |
| Threw | Right |
| MLB Debut | September 23, 1956, for the New York Giants |
| Last MLB Appearance | June 27, 1969, for the San Francisco Giants |
| MLB Statistics |
| Batting Average | .231 |
| Home Runs | 14 |
| Runs Batted In | 73 |
| Teams | New York Giants (1956–1957) |
| Detroit Tigers (1958, 1960–1961) |
| Kansas City Athletics (1961) |
| Baltimore Orioles (1962) |
| Pittsburgh Pirates (1965) |
| San Francisco Giants (1966, 1969) |
Frequently a third baseman, Virgil played every position except pitcher and center field. He batted and threw right-handed, was 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and weighed 174 pounds (79 kg).
Ozzie Virgil Sr. Early life
Virgil was born in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic on May 17, 1932. His family emigrated to the United States when he was 13 and settled in the Bronx, where Virgil graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School. He served in the United States Marines from 1950 to 1952.
Read also: Ozzie Virgil Sr. (1932-2024) Find a Grave Memorial
Ozzie Virgil Sr. Career
Virgil began his 17-season professional playing career in 1953. He made his MLB debut for the New York Giants on September 23, 1956; he became the first person born in the Dominican Republic to play in Major League Baseball. He batted 5-for-12 (.417) in three games for the Giants in 1956. On January 28, 1958, the Giants traded Virgil and Gail Harris to the Detroit Tigers for Jim Finigan and $25,000.
In 1960, Virgil played at third base, second base and the outfield under manager Charlie Metro with the Denver Bears in Triple-A. He was batting .381 with 55 runs batted in (RBIs) in 59 games when he was promoted to Detroit. “I was crazy about him. He did everything well”, said Metro. Virgil made his debut with Detroit on June 6, 1958. He was called the first black player for the Tigers, one of the last teams to break the color barrier, though in reality he was their first Latino. Later, in his home debut, he batted second in the lineup and went 5-for-5. The Briggs Stadium crowd gave him a standing ovation that he said he never forgot.
After moving to the Kansas City Royals, Metro wanted to draft Virgil as a player-coach out of the Giants organization, where he was playing in Triple-A. According to Metro, after Giant scout Tom Sheehan overheard his interest, the team promoted Virgil to the major leagues to protect him. Virgil played in one game for the Giants in June 1969, ending his career. In a nine-season big-league career, he posted a .231 batting average with 174 hits, 14 home runs and 73 RBI.
After his playing career, Virgil spent 19 seasons as a coach for the Giants (1969–1972; 1974–1975); Montreal Expos (1976–1981); San Diego Padres (1982–1985); and Seattle Mariners (1986–1988). From 1977 to 1988, he served as the third-base coach on the staff of Baseball Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams. They won the NL pennant with the Padres in 1984, and Virgil was the NL third-base coach at the 1985 All-Star Game.
Ozzie Virgil Sr. Baseball player Personal life
Virgil’s son, Ozzie Jr., played as a catcher in all or parts of 11 MLB seasons and was a two-time NL All-Star. He played with his father in the 1985 All-Star Game, when he had a two-run single in the NL’s win.
Osvaldo Virgil National Airport opened in 2006 in the Monte Cristi Province.
Virgil’s death was announced on September 29, 2024. He was 92.
Ozzie Virgil Sr. Baseball player (1932-2024)
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FAQs About Ozzie Virgil Sr. Baseball player
Q: Who was Ozzie Virgil Sr. Pichardo?
A: Osvaldo José Virgil Pichardo was a Dominican professional baseball player and coach, known for being the first person from the Dominican Republic to play in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Q: When did he play in MLB?
A: He appeared in 324 MLB games between 1956 and 1969.
Q: What positions did he play?
A: Virgil frequently played as a third baseman but also played every position except pitcher and center field.
Q: What teams did he play for in MLB?
A: He played for the New York / San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Q: What was his batting average in his MLB career?
A: He posted a .231 batting average in his nine-season big-league career.
Q: When did he make his MLB debut?
A: He made his MLB debut for the New York Giants on September 23, 1956.
Q: What did he do after his playing career?
A: After his playing career, he spent 19 seasons as a coach for various teams, including the Giants, Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners.
Q: Did he have any family members who played professional baseball?
A: Yes, his son, Ozzie Jr., played as a catcher in all or parts of 11 MLB seasons and was a two-time NL All-Star.
Q: When did Osvaldo Virgil pass away?
A: His death was announced on September 29, 2024, at the age of 92.
