Former big league veteran Al McBean passed away earlier this week at age 85. McBean holds a distinction as the first pitcher (and one of just 15 players ever) from the Virgin Islands to play in Major League Baseball, making some history when made his debut in 1961.
Most of McBean’s career was spent with the Pirates, including his first eight seasons and then a brief return in 1970 for what ended up being his final seven MLB games. (In between those two stints in Pittsburgh, McBean pitched for the Padres and Dodgers.) Pitching mostly as a reliever in his rookie season and then mostly as a starter in 1962, McBean then primarily worked out of the bullpen for most of his career, apart from a return to the Pirates rotation late in the 1967 season and for much of 1968.
McBean posted a 3.13 ERA and 63 saves over 409 games and 1072 1/3 career innings. The 63 saves are a retroactive statistic given how saves weren’t officially recognized since 1969, and the idea of a true closer was still something of a rarity in the 1960’s. However, the Pirates enjoyed great success with longtime relief ace Roy Face anchoring the bullpen, and McBean teamed with Face as a one-two punch for high leverage work. McBean was named Reliever Of The Year by the Sporting News in 1964 for an outstanding season of 1.91 ERA ball and 21 saves over 89 2/3 innings and 58 appearances.
We at MLB Trade Rumors give our condolences to McBean’s family and friends.
I remember having some of his baseball cards. RIP.
Yep
RIP Al…..
Yes, both him and Elroy Face…who is still alive at almost 96.
…
I remember Al from when I was a kid and have a card of his. RIP Al.
RIP
Never had a McBean. RIP.
I have never heard of him.
There’s an article above to fill you in.
Your loss
I remember the Pirates announcer calling him Alvin O’Neal McBean.
Missed out on 1971 series since with Phils AAA team all year which was his last year.
Alvin O’Neal McBean had a wonderful personality and was quickly embraced by the late great Bob Prince. After hitting a home run he told Prince the next day the pitch was up around his “soup coolers.” Prince roared with laughter
McBean was before my baseball-watching days, but he looks like he was a fine pitcher throughout his 20s. His usage pattern was interesting. Used as a reliever for most of his career, but in two seasons they ramped him up as a starter. The first time early in his career it went well. Looks like the last time they did it, however, in 1968, it might have led to an injury. He wasn’t the same the following season or thereafter..
RIP and condolences to family and friends.
Borderline Hall of Famer.
Brian Kenney wants him in.
If any relief pitcher from that era belongs in the Hall, it’s Elroy Face
Holder of the major league record for wins by a relief pitcher in a season with 18 to go along with 10 saves and a winning percentage of .947
I remember McBean though. He was a workhorse during the 60’s whether as a starter or reliever
Another player from my youth gone
RIP Alvin
Danny Murtaugh also belongs in the Hall.
2 WS titles where his teams were big underdogs. Would have had a lot more wins if he didn’t die early.
Alvin O’Neal was part of my childhood and for that I am grateful.I had to figure out where the Virgin Islands were located.He unfortunately was a part of some good and some not so good Pirate teams during the 1960’s,pitching between both WS winning teams of 1960 and 1971.
RIP Alvin.You were a good pitcher.
Wonder if he knew Smoky Burgess well
Sad day, while growing up I spent a ridiculous amount of my summers at Forbes Field. My father worked at the ballpark, and back then access to players was easy, and spending most of my time down next to the right field bullpen Al McBean always spent time saying hello and talking to nine and ten year old me. RIP to a kind man.
Buc-Nothing ridiculously about spending every day at Forbes Field when parents could afford to attend with their kids and what better things do 9 and 10 year olds have to do?
You were real lucky that your dad worked there.
Over the years, I made lists of every Best Player, Defensive Player and Rookie Player All Star Teams for every year beginning 1876. This is my 1964 MLB Best Player All Stars:
C MLN Joe Torre
1B STL Bill White
2B BOS Felix Mantilla
3B PHI Dick Allen
SS MIN Zoilo Versalles
LF CHC Billy Williams
CF SFG Willie Mays
RF MIN Tony Oliva
IN DET Don Demeter
SP LAA Dean Chance
SP LAD Sandy Koufax*
SP CHW Joe Horlen
SP NYY Whitey Ford*
SP LAD Don Drysdale
RP LAA Bob Lee
RP BAL Bill Hall
RP CHW Hoyt Wilhelm
RP PIT Al McBean
RP BOS Dick Raditz
and yet you didn’t include the NL batting champion and GG winner who played right field, Roberto Clemente
As a RF, Tony Oliva had a better year on defense and on offense with the exception of batting average than Roberto Clemente.
Both Oliva and Dick Allen should’ve been ROY and MVP of their respective leagues.
Tony Oliva recorded 5 outfield assists in 1964
Clemente recorded 21
Hardly a better defensive player
I’m partial. I think the great one was the greatest defensive right fielder in the 60s. How lucky growing up to see the three hall of famers on one team THE GREAT ONE, BILLY MAZ AND CHICKEN ON THE HILL WITH WILL
GarryHarris…..love your Best Players lists. Baseball is a great game! Thank you!
Thank you.
Do your own research and create your own team.
if you don’t like my comments use your mute option but this is a forum for baseball fans to post their opinions
Less put outs, more errors. You’re just lazy.
1964 Defensive Team:
C NYY Elston Howard
1B CHC Ernie Banks
2B PIT Bill Mazeroski
3B CHC Ron Santo
SS CHW Ron Hansen
LF LAD Tommy Davis
CF LAD Willie Davis
RF PHI Johnny Callison
SP CHC Larry Jackson
RIP Sir