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Like many great black athletes of his time, Monte Irvin played out most of his Hall of Fame career in the Negro Leagues. However, he played an instrumental role during his eight seasons with the New York Giants helping them win two pennants.
Irvin started his professional baseball career in the Negro Leagues at the early age of 17. He quickly developed into a power-hitting, smooth fielding, base stealing triple threat. 1951 proved to be a year to remember for Monte leading the League in RBI and completing the rare feat of stealing home in the World Series.
During his career as Negro player, he was a five time selection to the All-Star team. Irvin's induction into the Hall of Fame in 1973 was "special." He was chosen by the Special Committee on Negro Leagues who had previously selected only three players: Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige and Buck Leonard.
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