Hall of Famer Monte Irvin dies at 96

HOUSTON - Hall of Famer Monte Irvin, a power-hitting outfielder who starred for the New York Giants in the 1950s in a career abbreviated by major-league baseball's exclusion of black players, has died. He was 96.

The Hall of Fame said Irvin died Monday night of natural causes at his Houston home.

Giants president and CEO Larry Baer issued the following statement:

The Giants were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Hall of Famer Monte Irvin, who died peacefully last night at the age of 96 in Houston, Texas. Monte was a true gentleman whose exceptional baseball talent was only surpassed by his character and kindness. He was a great ambassador for the game throughout his playing career and beyond. As the first Giant and one of the first African-American players to help integrate Major League Baseball, he served as a role model and mentor to so many who following in his footsteps - including Willie Mays.

We were fortunate that Monte stayed connected to the Giants and he made several trips to San Francisco, including for the 50th anniversary of the 1954 New York Giants World Series championship, when we retired his number in 2010 and when he joined our other Hall of Famers to throw out the first pitch during the 2010 World Series. Most recently, Monte and his daughters joined the team and Willie Mays at the White House last summer in the honor of the 2014 championship. It was Monte's first visit to the White House where President Obama thanked him for his trailblazing efforts.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Monte's family - including his daughters Pamela Irvin Fields and Patricia Irvin Gordon. He leaves behind an incredible legacy that will be carried forward by his family and Giants fans everywhere.

Irvin was 30 when he joined the Giants in 1949, two years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Irvin spent seven of his eight big-league seasons with the Giants and one year with the Chicago Cubs in 1957. A native of Haleburg, Ala., Irvin played in the Negro, Mexican, and Puerto Rican leagues during his 20s.

The second-oldest living Hall of Famer behind Bobby Doerr, Irvin finished with a career average of .293 and hit 99 homers in the majors.