Let’s Hear It For The Latin Players!
If I told you today was a significant day in baseball history because 60 year ago, September 23, 1956, a player named Ozzie Virgil broke into the Giants’ lineup, you’d probably be wondering what I’m talking about.
Well, on that day, 23-year old Ozzie Virgil became the first player from the Dominican Republic to reach the major leagues. Little did anyone realize at the time that the Monte Cristi, DR native would open a flood gate of players from that tiny island in the Caribbean. One source I found listed 866 players from the Dominican Republic who have played in the majors, many of them greats of the game. In the 2016 season, of the 856 players on major league Opening Day rosters, 95 were from the Dominican Republic (11%), with many from San Pedro de Marcoris.
In the featured photo above, we see the “Latin Contingent” in the 1965 All-Star game. Less than 10 years after Ozzie Virgil’s debut, the All-Star game featured eight Latino players: L-R, Felix Mantilla, Roberto Clemente, Tony Oliva, Cookie Rojas, Juan Marichal, Zoilo Versailes, Vic Davalillo, and Leo Cardenas.
I often get into discussions with my son about which era of baseball was better: today’s game or the “old days.” Of course I’m defending the Golden Era of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. He thinks today’s players are much better and the game is overall significantly better. Sooner or later, he always hits me with “In those old days, there were no Latin or black players. How could that era possibly compare with today’s game?” When he raises that point, I usually have to concede the argument. I try to salvage my position by mumbling something like, “Yeah, but there were only 16 teams…” My son is right. Where would the game be without the many great Latin and black players? I hate to admit it, but it’s a much better game.
Anyway…back to Ozzie Virgil. He played 14 seasons in the Bigs between 1956 and 1969. On September 23, 1956, he became the first person from the Dominican Republic to play in the majors when he started for the Giants at third base against the Philadelphia Phillies. In another first, almost two years later, on June 6, 1958, Virgil became the first player of African descent to take the field for the Tigers. Over his career, Virgil posted a .231 batting average with 174 hits, 14 home runs and 73 RBI in 324 games played. After his playing career ended, Virgil spent 19 seasons as a coach for the Giants; and Mariners. From 1977–88, he served as the third-base coach on the staff of Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams. His son, catcher Ozzie, Jr., played in all or parts of 11 MLB seasons (1980–90) and was a two-time National League All-Star.
Along the same lines, there have been ten Latin players who have become major league managers: Miguel (Mike) Gonzalez, Edwin Rodriguez, Freddie Gonzalez, Manny Acosta, Ozzie Guillen, Carlos Tosca, Tony Pena, Felipe Alou, Cookie Rojas, and Preston Gomez. In addition, there are currently 11 Latin players in the Hall of Fame: Juan Marichal, Martin Dihigo, Roberto Clemente, Luis Aparicio, Tony Perez, Christobal Torriente, Rod Carew, Orlando Cepeda, Jose Mendez, Pedro Martinez, and Roberto Alomar.
Thanks to Thomas Heatley for mentioning that Al Lopez is a great manager and Hall-of-Famer who was born in Tampa to Spanish immigrants and certainly deserves to be included on this list.
-Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: All found on Google search
Information: Baseball-Reference.com
