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… — Monte Irvin Copy Share Image
Leo Durocher was our manager and he brought Willie up to me and said, 'This is Willie Mays and he's your new roommate.' You could see right away that this young man was a natural. He had those real big… — Monte Irvin Copy Share Image
Willie Wells, Ray Dandridge, Leon Day, Buck Leonard, Quincy Troupe, Satchel Paige - earlier than when he was called up - Oscar Charleston and… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
Everyone says we have our first African American president. Has there ever been a Jewish president? An Italian president? They don't say a damn… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
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.… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
My mother was a Bible student, and when I was a youngster, both my mother and father would say, 'If people would only live… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
I always felt that I had a mission in life. I thought I was born to play sports. Even now, I still feel that… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
We used to look at each other and say, 'We play the same game with the same rules, the same bat, the same ball,… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
Early in life I learned, just through observation, that right always wins out over wrong. If a person has good intentions in his heart… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
I played for Almendares in Cuba. Guess who was trying out for the team? Castro. Fidel Castro, as a pitcher. He could throw pretty… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
For me, there was nothing like my time with the Eagles - ever. We were young, and the world was new to us. It… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
Many of the greatest black athletes of all time played baseball for no money and no recognition. I'm just sorry many major league fans… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
It was in 1942 and I flew from St. Louis to Mexico City. I had just gotten married and we were on our honeymoon.… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
The reason we had an all-black outfield in '51 is Don Mueller got hurt, so Hank Thompson was a legitimate replacement. So what? People… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
Oscar Charleston was the Willie Mays of his day. Nobody ever played center field better than Willie Mays. Suppose they had never given Willie… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
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… — Monte Irvin Copy Share
I played with Willie Mays and against Hank Aaron. They were tremendous players, but they were no Josh Gibson. — Monte Irvin Copy Share
