As an avid fan of baseball history and crossword puzzles I was intrigued when I came across the crossword clue “Monte of the 1950s Giants”. The name rang a bell, but I couldn’t quite remember who Monte was. A quick online search led me down a rabbit hole into the impressive career of Monte Irvin – one of the pioneers who helped integrate Major League Baseball and a key player during the Giants’ golden era in the 1950s.
Monte Irvin was one of the most feared hitters in the Negro Leagues in the 1940s. He starred for the Newark Eagles and led them to a Negro League World Series title in 1946. When he finally got his chance in the Major Leagues with the New York Giants in 1949, Irvin picked up right where he left off.
Playing left field and first base, Irvin provided power in the middle of the Giants’ lineup. In 1951, he led the National League with 121 RBIs and helped guide the Giants from 13 games back to force a tiebreaker playoff with the hated Brooklyn Dodgers. Irvin played a big part in Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard Round the World” home run to beat the Dodgers and send the Giants to the World Series.
That began a dominant four-year run for the Giants from 1951-1954, where they won two NL pennants and beat the Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series. The heart of those Giants teams featured Irvin, Willie Mays, Al Dark, Sal Maglie, and Whitey Lockman.
Irvin was especially helpful to young Mays when he first came up to the major leagues in 1951. Mays, who went on to become one of baseball’s all-time greats, said that Irvin taught him everything he knew about life in the big leagues. The two became close and stayed that way for life.
Injuries took their toll on Irvin in the mid-1950s and he played his last Major League game in 1956 at the age of 37. But in just 8 seasons between the Negro Leagues and Majors, Irvin compiled impressive stats:
- .305 career Major League batting average with 99 HRs, 443 RBIs
- .391 batting average, 144 HRs, 870 RBIs in Negro Leagues
Irvin’s contributions went far beyond the playing field. He was a leader who overcame racism and hardship to pave the way for African American players. As soon as Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, Irvin was one of the first black players to be signed. Irvin was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, even though his time in Major League Baseball was short.
The next time you see a crossword clue that asks you to find this Giants great, you’ll know that “Monte of the 1950s Giants” can only mean one person: the legendary Monte Irvin. Even though Irvin’s career was cut short, he made the most of the chances he had and helped change baseball forever.
Oral History in Cooperstown
This is possible because of the Baseball Hall of Fame Library’s oral history collection. Fans can hear people who have a connection to the game talk about their life on and off the field. In August 1988, State University of New York at Oneonta professor Rod Roberts, on behalf of the Hall of Fame, conducted on such oral history interview with Irvin:
Irvin’s response was definitive when asked if he ever thought about playing in the major leagues back then.
Monte Irvin, Newark Eagles – BL-4623-68HTq (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)
As an example of his poor treatment, Irvin would recall an incident from the day he graduated from high school.
According to Irvin, the prejudice continued even after he finally made it to the majors.
Baseball spikes belonging to Monte Irvin. – B-722.78 (Milo Stewart, Jr. / National Baseball Hall of Fame)
While Jackie Robinson famously broke baseball’s color barrier when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, Hall of Famer and longtime Negro leagues star Cool Papa Bell was quoted as saying, “Most of the Black ballplayers thought Monte Irvin should have been the first Black in the major leagues. Monte was our best young ball player at the time. ”.
When asked by Roberts if it should have been him instead of Robinson, Irvin said:
Monte Irvin of the New York Giants posed on the field with his bat, c. 1988. – BL-7168. 89 (Photo File / National Baseball Hall of Fame Library).
Back in February 1973, 15 years prior to his interview with Roberts, Irvin was sharing similar sentiments after being chosen by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues to become a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame,.
“I wasted my best in the Negro Leagues,” Irvin said. “I’m philosophical about it. There’s no point in being bitter. You don’t like how things are, but why make yourself sick? There were a lot of guys who could really play but never got the chance. ”.
Though he didn’t beat Robinson to the big leagues as a player, Irvin, with his reputation for diplomacy, in August 1968 became the first Black man to be named to an executive position in professional baseball headquarters when he was named assistant director of promotion and public relations, a new position in the office of Commissioner William D. “Spike” Eckert.
Eckert announced the appointment and said this about Irvin: “He was selected after considerable review of the skills needed for this job and he has the best qualifications of anyone we considered.” Irvin had worked as a scout and instructor for the New York Mets since retiring as a player. I’m delighted Monte is joining us. ”.
Irvin would remain a trusted member of the MLB commissioner’s staff until Bowie Kuhn, Eckert’s successor, left office in 1984.
Irvin turns 96 years old on February 25.
Bill Francis is a Library Associate at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Hall of Famer Monte Irvin poses for a picture with Commissioner Bowie Kuhn during the 1973 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. – BL-2065.2002 (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)
America Greets Monty Aka Monty In U.S.A (1953)
FAQ
Why is Monte Irvin in the Hall of Fame?
“We all agreed, in meeting, he was the best qualified by temperament, character ability, sense of loyalty, morals, age, experiences and physique to represent us as the first black player to enter the white majors since the Walker brothers back in the 1880s.
Who was the first black player on the San Francisco Giants?
But on July 8, 1949, the franchise would be changed forever. On that afternoon, Monte Irvin and Hank Thompson would become the first Black players on the Giants in a game against the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field.
What are some fun facts about Monte Irvin?
After playing, he worked as a baseball scout and had an important job in the MLB commissioner’s office. At the time of his death, Monte Irvin was the oldest living former Negro Leagues player. He was also the oldest living former player for the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs.
When did Monte Irvin retire?
A back injury led to Irvin’s retirement as a player in 1957. That year, he hurt himself in spring training and only played in four minor league games for the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League.
What is Monte of the 1950s Giants crossword clue?
This crossword clue was last seen on July 28 2023 LA Times Crossword puzzle. The solution we have for Monte of the 1950s Giants has a total of 5 letters. Share the Answer! French dessert for a romantic date?.
Will SF Giants wear a sleeve in honor of Monte Irvin & Jim Davenport?
“The #SFGiants will wear patches on their sleeve in honor of @BaseballHall of Famer Monte Irvin and Jim Davenport” (Tweet) – via Twitter. ^ “Essex County Dedicates Monte Irvin Statue in (Monte Irvin) Orange Park”. TAPinto. Retrieved August 14, 2017. ^ Hogan, p. 381. ^ Hogan, pp. 390–391. ^ Treto Cisneros, p. 27, 31, 293. United Press.
How many World Series did Willie Mays play for the Giants?
He played in two World Series for the Giants. When future Hall of Famer Willie Mays joined the Giants in 1951, Irvin was asked to mentor him. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. After his playing career, Irvin was a baseball scout and held an administrative role with the MLB commissioner’s office.