Monte Irvin passed away

[RichardSimon]

I do not know any details but my son just e mailed me.
He lived a quality life and a good life.
He was 96 years old.
I was very fortunate to spend an entire day with him about 20 years ago in Florida.
One of the best times I have ever had.
He signed a lot of photos for me, all I which I kept.
This one is my favorite.
RIP Monte, you were one classy guy.

[h2oya311]

RIP Monte!

http://photos.imageevent.com/derekgranger/hofrookies1/websize/1948-49%20Irvin%20El%20Indio.jpg

[jimivintage]

RIP Monte! Strangely I just picked up a Berk Ross card of his the other day and was just looking at it. He will be missed!

[Kenny Cole]

Total class act. RIP.

[Eric72]

Rest in Peace.

[Laxcat]

Sad to hear. I got to have an in depth conversation with him when I was in my teens. I was sliding for him at a show. Told me about checking in at hotels under a different name in the south. He was a great man.

[bbcard1]

What an interesting guy. I had him sign a Negro League bat I have been working on and he was kind enough to also sign it AKA Jimmy Nelson, a name he played under while attending college. He had a laugh telling me the story.

[z28jd]

Many years ago I picked up the Ron Lewis print titled "Tribute to Leon Day". It pictured, and was signed by 20 living former Negro League players. Irvin was the last living player from that 1996 print.

[Section103]

Brutal week. Honored just to have met him.

El que le gane al Almendares se muere!

[Louieman]

Wish I had met him. Hope the Giants pay tribute to him once the season starts

[Al C.risafulli]

I had that Leon Day tribute print as well. I can't believe Irvin was the last one left.

I had the opportunity to meet him when I was a boy. He was so pleasant and friendly. I wish I'd known more about baseball at the time, so I could have asked better questions.

One of New Jersey's finest. RIP.

-Al

[bn2cardz]

Rookie Irvin celebrating his 4 hits in the 1st game of the 1951 World Series:
http://www.rmyauctions.com/ItemImages/000014/10672a_med.jpeg

[baztacula]

It's Ouija Board time.

http://www.crystalinks.com/ouijabdlogo.jpg

[ls7plus]

Total class act. RIP.

+1. A fine player and great early pioneer!

Larry

[Mountaineer1999]

Good educational read for those of us who did not know the Monte Irvin story in depth.

http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/883c3dad

[Rookiemonster]

One of the first cards my son took a liking to . He liked the 1953 topps archives
I pulled one day . So I got him the real thing . And then when I learned more about him I needed is rookie card . I love that he was from NJ . The fact that he should have been the first black player to break the color barrier but he was unainable . That's was all I needed to know .

[Rookiemonster]

Even though it resides in my card collection :D . Plus I can't say enough about this guys hat swag ! That cap is broke way off .

[paul]

Very sad. I believe he was the last of the original nine Negro League Hall of Famers.

[irv]

I have his 52 Topps card but sadly that is all I know about him.:o

RIP, Monty Irvin.

[71buc]

He was Clemente's favorite player what more could be said?

[tjb1952tjb]

RIP Monte...............a real gentleman.

[RGold]

217766

[joeadcock]

Rest now.
With God

[Shoebox]

Rip