About Ozzie Virgil Sr.
Osvaldo José Virgil Pichardo (May 17, 1932 – September 29, 2024) was a Dominican professional baseball player and coach. He was the first person from the Dominican Republic to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) post-integration, appearing in 324 MLB games between 1956 and 1969 as a utility player for the New York / San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Frequently a third baseman, Virgil played every position except pitcher and center field. He batted and threw right-handed, was 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and weighed 174 pounds (79 kg). == Early life == Virgil was born in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic on May 17, 1932. His family emigrated to the United States when he was 13 and settled in the Bronx, where Virgil graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School. He served in the United States Marines from 1950 to 1952. == Career == Virgil began his 17-season professional playing career in 1953. He made his MLB debut for the New York Giants on September 23, 1956; he became the first person born in the Dominican Republic to play in Major League Baseball (though Negro league pitcher Pedro San is now recognized as the first Dominican to play in any major league).. He batted 5-for-12 (.417) in three games for the Giants in 1956.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.