Longtime big league player and coach Ozzie Virgil Sr. passed away today at age 92. A veteran of nine MLB seasons from 1956-69, Virgil has a historic legacy as the first Dominican-born player to ever appear in Major League Baseball.
Virgil broke into the majors with the New York Giants at the tail end of the 1956 season, appearing in three games for his newfound hometown team. A native of Monte Cristi, Virgil’s family moved to New York when he was a teenager, and he went on to serve in the Marines for three years before beginning his career in pro baseball. After spending his first two seasons with the Giants, Virgil was traded to the Tigers during the 1957-58 offseason, and in 1958 became the first black player in Tigers history.
The big majority of Virgil’s career was spent with the Giants (142 games) and Tigers (131 games), as Virgil also spent his last two seasons back with the Giants after they’d moved to San Francisco. Virgil also played for the Athletics, Orioles, and Pirates over his 324 career games in the Show, with a slash line of .231/.263/.331 over 798 plate appearances.
Upon retirement, Virgil then spent 19 years as a coach, forming a long working relationship with manager Dick Williams. Virgil coached with the Giants for all but one season from 1969-75 before joining the Expos’ staff in 1976, and he then worked as the third base coach on Williams’ staffs with the Expos, Padres, and Mariners from 1977-88.
Virgil’s legacy extended most directly to his son Ozzie Jr., who was a two-time All-Star catcher during a distinguished 11-year run in the majors. In the bigger picture, the elder Virgil was a trailblazer in the history of baseball in the Dominican Republic, the country that has produced more MLB players than any other country besides the United States. We at MLB Trade Rumors send our condolences to Virgil’s family, friends, and many fans.
Remember Ozzie Sr. more as a coach but had some of his old baseball cards. He was around the game a long time. RIP.
As a little kid, I remember Ozzie with my Tigers. Seemed like he played a lot longer than he did. My Dad really liked ed him.
Dude set the path for Dominicans. Kinda crazy he played for sparky Anderson(rookie manager) in Toronto of the International League in 1964.
It’s a shame it took the Detroit Tigers 11 years (YES 11 years) after Jackie Robinson integrated baseball for them to come around and sign a minority player. No excuse and something the Tigers should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves for doing.
RIP Ozzie, you left a great legacy
Agree, but if you had asked me yesterday who the first AA player the Tigers signed I would have said Billy Bruton. Glad to know it was Ozzie V..
The Tigers were not as bad as the Red Sox though.
Is Dominican the same as AA? I don’t think so……
Took the red Sox even longer (early 1960’s)
With Elijah “Pumpsie” Green.
Are you even a human being?
Remember em coaching 3rd for along time n remember watching his kid Jr play. Didn’t realize he was 1st Dominican born mlb player. Via con Dios. RIP
I remember Virgil Sr. coaching with the Padres when I was very small, and then of course I remember his son catching for a Braves a bit later in the 80s. RIP and best wishes for healing and comfort to his loved ones.
RIP
I think he had a son who was a catcher who played on some Braves teams in the 80s Ozzie Virgil. Played with Ted Simmons.
youre a wealth of knowledge!. you made that connection?
Spoke to Ozzie often when he coached for the Giants. He hated Candlestick. Spoke excellent English. I must have gotten a dozen autographs of him and Mike “The Sheik” Sadek back in the day.
RIP Mr. Virgil.
RIP OV…
Ossie signed my score book at a Mets-Giants game at Shea Stadium in mid 60’s. I remember him spending close to ten minutes singing and talking with the NY fans. A very thoughtful moment on his part.
So are you trying to imply Mr. Virgil and his family broken the law by coming to the USA?
I DON’T THINK SO.
PEOPLE OF HIS GENERATION HAD RESPECT FOR THE LAW.
No one.here said.anything about immigration until.your stupid.arse.comment.
There is a difference between legal.and illegal immigration.
The laws are created to protect our culture from being flooded and changed, a ‘governor”, if you understand automotives…..
LEGAL immigrants have never expected to coddled.
Go.to Ellis Island. Look at the graph they have on the wall. It is easy to understand why people are upset.
A native of Monte Cristi, Virgil’s family moved to New York when he was a teenager, and he went on to serve in the Marines for three years before beginning his career in pro baseball.
And now we decide that immigrants are the enemy? Good lord. Thank you Ozzie for your service. Rest in Peace.
Immigrants are not like the white nationalists bigots so they have no use in this country…what a croc since all of their ancestors were immigrants. This country is going to hell in a handbag
My grandparents on both sides were immigrants. They fled violence in Ireland at the time for a better life and got the opportunity to start one in the NYC area. America is the land of opportunity and any attacks on immigrants is basically an attack on the integrity of what we truly stand for as a nation.
They did immigrate legally?
That’s quite a bit different to flooding our culture, overwhelming of culture and government by millions of people.who.have complete contempt for our laws.
It is illegal. What is there to not understand?
Respect, praise and my deepest condolences to Ozzie and his family. He was an integral part of MLB and was so important for the proud Dominican community who plays the game with such passion.
Sad. More sadness.
My condolences to the great baseball man.