Ozzie Virgil Sr. became the first player in Major League Baseball from the Dominican Republic when he debuted with the New York Giants in 1956.
- Died: September 2024
- Details of death: Died at the age of 92.
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Ozzie Virgil Sr.’s legacy
Virgil was born in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic, and he grew up there before moving with his family to New York City as a young teen. He began his Major League Baseball career after serving in the U.S. Marines for two years in the early 1950s. Signed by the Giants, he made his MLB debut on Sept. 23, 1956 as the first Dominican player in the league. His trailblazing feat opened the doors for other players from a nation that would become a powerhouse in major-league baseball. In the seven decades since, many hundreds of MLB players have hailed from the Dominican Republic, more than any other country other than the United States.
Virgil was with the Giants for two seasons before being traded to the Detroit Tigers. When he played his first Tigers game on June 6, 1958, he was the team’s first non-white player. The team was one of the last in the league to integrate, followed only by the Boston Red Sox. Virgil went on to play for the Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and Pittsburgh Pirates, then returned to the Giants – who had relocated to San Francisco – before his retirement in 1969. Primarily a third baseman, he also played a wide variety of other positions.
After his playing career came to an end, Virgil transitioned to coaching, first with the Giants and later with the Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners. As a coach, he was best known for his years working with Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams (1929–2011). His son, Ozzie Virgil Jr., also played in Major League Baseball for 11 years.
Tributes to Ozzie Virgil Sr.
Full obituary: Detroit Free Press
