BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Osvaldo José (Pichardo) Virgil born May 17, 1932 in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic broke the color barrier for Detroit in 1958. He served in the U.S. Marines from 1950 to 1952. He is a former utility player who played in Major League Baseball between 1956 and 1969 for the New York Giants (1956–57), Detroit Tigers (1958, 1960–61), Kansas City Athletics (1961), Baltimore Orioles (1962), Pittsburgh Pirates (1965) and San Francisco Giants (1966, 1969). Basically a third baseman, Virgil played all positions except pitcher and center field. He batted and threw right-handed.
In a nine-season major league career, Virgil posted a .231 batting average with 14 home runs and 73 RBI in 324 games played. He also played for the minor league Rochester Red Wings in the International League.
After his playing career ended, Virgil spent 19 seasons as a coach for the Giants (1969–72; 1974–75); Montréal Expos (1976–81); San Diego Padres (1982–85); and Seattle Mariners (1986–88). From 1977 through 1988, he served as the third-base coach on the staff of Baseball Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams.
BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY - Honors
He has the distinction of being the first Dominican to play in Major League Baseball.
On June 6, 1958 he became the first non-white player to play for the Detroit Tigers.
Osvaldo Virgil National Airport serves the province of Montecristi,
in the north of the Dominican Republic. This airport was opened in 2006
for tourism with flights from other Dominican airports.
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