Pioneer and Hall of Famer Monte Irvin passes away at age 96

Pioneer and Hall of Famer Monte Irvin passes away at age 96

Branch Rickey considered Monte when he was searching for the man to integrate baseball, but eventually decide on Jackie Robinson.

I read that he was the oldest living World Series winner.

Irvin, like many of the first generation of African-American stars (mighty Luke Easter comes to mind), was already past his prime when he made it to the majors. He didn't become a regular until 1950, when he was 31. He was spectacular in the Giants' 1951 pennant season, batting in 121 runs to lead the league - ahead of Campy, Musial, Kiner, Hodges and the rest. The Giants lost that World Series, but it sure wasn't Monte's fault. He led all players with a .458 average, and he stole 100% of the bases in that series, including a spectacular steal of home in the first inning of the first game!

Two years later he was still a star at age 34, batting .329 with 97 RBI, but he was aging, and by 1954 he was getting crowded out of the Giants' outfield by this young kid who came back from his service hitch - Willie Something.

Because he was so old when he started in MLB, Monte was able to aggregate only 2500 major league at-bats, but he used them well, batting .293 with an .858 OPS, averaging 21 homers and 94 RBI per 162 games.