Tiny Panda Quotes
Monte Irvin, born on February 25, 1919, in Haleburg, Alabama, emerged as a pioneering figure in baseball, breaking racial barriers as one of the first African American players in Major League Baseball. His career spanned from 1949 to 1956, primarily with the New York Giants, where he displayed remarkable talent both as an outfielder and a first baseman. Irvin's legacy extends beyond his impressive statistics; he was a trailblazer who inspired future generations of athletes, advocating for equality and inclusion in sports.
4 quotes found
"Oscar Charleston was the Willie Mays of his day. Nobody ever played center field better than Willie Mays. Suppose they had never given Willie a chance, and we said that, would anybody believe there was a kid in Alabama who was that good? Or there was a black guy in Atlanta who might break Babe Ruth's home run record? No."
Monte Irvin"Early in life I learned, just through observation, that right always wins out over wrong. If a person has good intentions in his heart and wants to do the right thing, then there are certain ways that any obstacle can be overcome."
Monte Irvin"I was all-state in four sports in New Jersey, but sometimes I couldn't get served at a restaurant two blocks from my high school. There were no job opportunities then... the only thing a black youth could aspire to be was a bellboy or a pullman or an elevator operator, or, maybe, a teacher. There was a time when all we had was black baseball."
Monte Irvin
"I'm a forgiver. I might not forget, but I forgive. My mother, father and older brother always told me: 'Don't hold grudges. If you do that, you don't lower yourself down to your adversary. Just treat people the way you want to be treated.' I honestly think that's why I was able to survive and have some success."
Monte Irvin