Hall of Fame Major League Baseball and Negro Leagues Player. Born Monford Merrill Irvin, he was raised in East Orange, New Jersey, where excelled in four-sports during his high school years and continued his athletics while attending Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Irvin signed with the Newark Eagles of the Negro Leagues and quickly established himself a star player. Additionally, he played for a period in the Mexican Baseball League. During World War II, he served with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and helped build bridges in Europe. He returned to Newark and helped the Eagles win the Negro League Championship in 1946. Signed as a free agent by the New York Giants, he marked his Major League debut on July 8, 1949. Predominantly a left fielder, he also split time in right field and first base. In 1951, he led the league with 121 RBIs and experienced a National League Pennant with the Giants and produced a stunning .458 batting average during the 1951 World Series. The following season (1952), he achieved all-star status and in 1954, he was a contributor to the Giants' capturing of the world championship. He concluded his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1956. After retiring as a player, he served for a stint as a scout with the New York Mets and was later named a public relations specialist for the Baseball Commissioner's Office under Bowie Kuhn. Irvin was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. Irvin penned the book "Few and Chosen: Defining Negro Leagues Greatness" (2007). His uniform number 20 has been retired by the San Francisco Giants.
Hall of Fame Major League Baseball and Negro Leagues Player. Born Monford Merrill Irvin, he was raised in East Orange, New Jersey, where excelled in four-sports during his high school years and continued his athletics while attending Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Irvin signed with the Newark Eagles of the Negro Leagues and quickly established himself a star player. Additionally, he played for a period in the Mexican Baseball League. During World War II, he served with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and helped build bridges in Europe. He returned to Newark and helped the Eagles win the Negro League Championship in 1946. Signed as a free agent by the New York Giants, he marked his Major League debut on July 8, 1949. Predominantly a left fielder, he also split time in right field and first base. In 1951, he led the league with 121 RBIs and experienced a National League Pennant with the Giants and produced a stunning .458 batting average during the 1951 World Series. The following season (1952), he achieved all-star status and in 1954, he was a contributor to the Giants' capturing of the world championship. He concluded his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1956. After retiring as a player, he served for a stint as a scout with the New York Mets and was later named a public relations specialist for the Baseball Commissioner's Office under Bowie Kuhn. Irvin was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. Irvin penned the book "Few and Chosen: Defining Negro Leagues Greatness" (2007). His uniform number 20 has been retired by the San Francisco Giants.
Bio by: C.S.
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