Monte Irvin

[LHG]

The storied outfielder has passed on yesterday. He lived an amazing 96 years.

Hall of Fame slugger Monte Irvin dies at 96

Monte Irvin Statistics and History | Baseball-Reference.com

 

[tzill]

Perhaps the best Irvin anecdote comes from Baseball: The Biographical Encyclopedia, which describes a scene in the Mexican League, when owner Jorge Pasquel made him a deal in the bottom of the ninth of a close game.

Pasquel called the slugger over to his private box and offered him $200 if his team won. Irvin returned to the batter's box and made a deal with rival catcher Roy Campanella: "Give me a fastball, and I'll give you half." Campanella agreed but promptly double-crossed Irvin. Expecting the betrayal, Irvin sat on the curveball and crushed it for a grand slam.​

Even before they were Giants and Dodgers, they both knew how the world was supposed to work.

 

[SF11704]

Wow ... brings me back to my early childhood. Had his baseball card as an 8/9 year old ... Went to a few Giant games with my dad back in 53-54-55 ... so I did see him play ... no real memory of him though ...