Leading the way

Infielder Ozzie Virgil becomes the major leagues’ first Dominican-born player 69 years ago today, starting at third base for the New York Giants and going 0-for-4 in a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 6,134 at the Polo Grounds.

Ozzie Virgil

Virgil finishes the 1956 season strong as just a week later he picks up five hits in eight at-bats during a doubleheader split with the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium.

He eventually spends all or parts of nine seasons in the majors, mostly in a bench role.

Virgil’s debut in 1956 starts the path for Dominicans to play in the majors, a path that since then includes 935 fellow countrymen.

That path includes his son, Ozzie Virgil Jr., as well as five Hall of Famers in pitchers Juan Marichal and Pedro Martinez, outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, designated hitter David Ortiz and third baseman Adrian Beltre.

First baseman Albert Pujols is ready to join them just as soon as he is eligible for induction in 2028.

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