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Pirates' Ngoepe hopes to 'open more doors' for future African players

Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports

Gift Ngoepe is hoping his time in the major leagues will inspire other potential players in Africa to follow his footsteps.

The South Africa native became the first African-born player to appear in an MLB game when he made his debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 26 against the defending World Series champs, the Chicago Cubs. Now, nearly a month after his first appearance, Ngoepe wants to use his talents to ensure he isn't the last player from the continent to make the big leagues.

"There's a little bit of pressure just to stay here," Ngoepe told USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale. "It's hard. You've got to do everything you can to the best of your abilities to stay in this league.

"But I know if I do well, it will open more doors for African people."

Ngoepe's connection to the game stems from his mother, Maureen, who used to work as a clubhouse attendant for the Randburg Mets in his hometown. Gift, Maureen, and two brothers all lived in a small room next to the team's clubhouse as his mother cooked and cleaned for the club.

Maureen, though, died of pneumonia in 2013, and her son temporarily considered stepping away from the game.

"It was so hard, because my mom meant everything to me," Gift said, according to Nightengale. "She was always there for me. But I know she would have wanted me to go on. She never wanted me to quit. So I kept pushing and pushing. I had to stay strong. I had to overcome my failures.

"Now, I believe I can be an inspiration."

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