Hall of Famer Monte Irvin has passed away at the age of 96.
Irvin might be known for his legendary career in the Negro Leagues and helping to keep the color barrier broken with the New York Giants from 1949-55. Not to mention, he spent the rest of his life working with MLB, both working diligently in their offices and serving as a goodwill ambassador.
You might not have known it, but in addition to all of that, Irvin closed out his playing career with a single season on Chicago's Northside in 1956. He didn't whimper off into the night either, batting .271 with 15 homers in 111 games before injuries put a permanent end to his career. Not a bad swan song.
Irvin along with fellow Cub sluggers Hank Sauer and Ernie Banks
Image courtesy of Getty Images
At the time of his death, Irvin was actually the oldest living former Cub, a title which now belongs to Red Adams (age 94), who pitched in 8 games back in 1946.
R.I.P. Mr. Irvin, your life was long and illustrious. That said, I'm getting a little sick of writing around death.
I've always wanted to track down a real copy of Irvin's '56 Topps card. The Archives reprint you posted is the only one I own of him as a Cub.
ReplyDeleteRIP Monte.
It does kind of have that feeling of "when it rains it pours" with notable deaths. Like you said though at least Irvin's life was long and illustrious.
ReplyDelete