Interview with Monte Irvin, May 12, 1977

Partial Transcript: Um, when did you first aspire to play Major League Baseball?

Segment Synopsis: Irvin describes what inspired him to be a baseball player, as well as his entrance into the Negro Leagues, playing for the Newark Eagles.

Keywords: Left fielders; Monford Irvin

Subjects: Baseball; Baseball players--United States; Irvin, Monte, 1919- --Interviews; Major League Baseball (Organization); Negro National League; Negro leagues; Newark Eagles (Baseball Team)

Partial Transcript: What, again you played for them for ten years with the exception of a stint in the service.

Segment Synopsis: Irvin describes a life of travel in the Negro Leagues.

Keywords: Barton Nighthawks; Left fielders; Monford Irvin; Ruppert Stadium; Semi-professional baseball; Springfield Rays

Subjects: Baseball players; Baseball players--United States; Negro leagues; Newark Eagles (Baseball Team); baseball

Partial Transcript: Um, do you feel that your experiences, and--and your--your experience especially in developing your baseball skills...

Segment Synopsis: Irvin describes the frustration of being unable to play Major League Baseball due to race.

Keywords: Left fielders; Monford Irvin

Subjects: Baseball; Baseball players--United States; Negro National League; Negro leagues; New York Giants (Baseball Team); Rickey, Branch, 1881-1965

Partial Transcript: In that report that I just had--that 1946 report to the, uh, Major League--uh, there were reasons given by the owners.

Segment Synopsis: Irvin discusses the 1946 report defending segregation in the Major Leagues, as well as other arguments put forth at that time. He also addresses the factors that led to the downfall of the negro leagues.

Keywords: Desegregation in Baseball; Monford Irvin; Segregation; Segregation in Baseball

Subjects: Baseball; Baseball players--United States; Baseball team owners; Integration; Major League Baseball (Organization); Negro National League; Negro leagues; Robinson, Jackie, 1919-1972

Partial Transcript: You were first approached about playing right after the war. That was what, 1945?

Segment Synopsis: Irvin recalls his transition after the war back into the negro leagues, and then into the Major Leagues. He also shares his impressions of Effa Manley.

Keywords: Clyde Sukeforth; Jersey City Giants; Monford Irvin

Subjects: African American baseball players; Baseball; Baseball players; Baseball players--United States; Baseball team owners; Major League Baseball (Organization); Manley, Effa, 1897-1981; Negro National League; Negro leagues.; New York Giants (Baseball Team); Rickey, Branch, 1881-1965; World War, 1939-1945

Partial Transcript: What--what, what kind of a salary did you get when you signed? Not really to get too personal...

Segment Synopsis: Irvin describes his first days in the Major Leagues, as well as his salary for his first few seasons.

Keywords: Ford Smith; Jersey City Giants; Left fielders; Monford Irvin; Negro League

Subjects: African American baseball players; Baseball; Baseball players--Salaries, etc.--United States; Baseball players--United States; Durocher, Leo, 1906-1991.; Major League Baseball (Organization); Minor league baseball.; Negro National League; Negro leagues; New York Giants (Baseball Team)

Partial Transcript: Um, when you were called up, you were really doing very well. Uh--

Segment Synopsis: Irvin offers his thoughts on playing in the Major Leagues as an African American. He also provides insight on his relationships with other players and with staff.

Keywords: Baseball Desegregation; Baseball Integration; Hank Thompson; Jersey City Giants; Joseph Becker; Left fielders; Monford Irvin

Subjects: African American baseball players; Baseball; Baseball players--United States; Baseball players--United States--Interviews; Major League Baseball (Organization); New York Giants (Baseball Team); Segregation

Partial Transcript: Um, what was it like to play for Leo Durocher?

Segment Synopsis: Irvin recounts his experiences playing for Leo Durocher. He also describes his first at-bat in the Major Leagues, as well as the pressure on him to perform well during his first season.

Keywords: Joe Hatten; Monford Irvin

Subjects: Baseball; Baseball managers; Baseball players--United States; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991; Durocher, Leo, 1906-1991.; Major League Baseball (Organization); New York Giants (Baseball Team)

Partial Transcript: Um, how did you feel after the first season? How did you size up your future?

Segment Synopsis: Irvin reflects on his first season in the Major Leagues, as well as on his friendships with Larry Doby and Don Newcombe.

Keywords: " Cuban League; "Newk; Cuban Winter League; Don Newcombe; Monford Irvin

Subjects: African American baseball players; Baseball; Doby, Larry; Major League Baseball (Organization); New York Giants (Baseball Team); Newcombe, Donald

Partial Transcript: Plan to move up to the following year. I mean, you had a really good year that--that year.

Segment Synopsis: Irvin reflects on his second season in the Major Leagues, including several rather injury-filled games played against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Keywords: Andy Seminick; First Base; Injuries; Jersey City Giants; Left Fielders; Monford Irvin

Subjects: African American baseball players; Baseball; Durocher, Leo, 1906-1991.; Major League Baseball (Organization); New York Giants (Baseball Team); Philadelphia Phillies (Baseball Team); Seminick, Andrew

Partial Transcript: Um, you know, does anything else stand out to you that season at all that you recall?

Segment Synopsis: Irvin shares his experiences playing in the Mexican League.

Keywords: Mexican Baseball League; Mexican League; Monford Irvin

Subjects: African American baseball players; Baseball; Baseball players; Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Profesional; Maglie, Sal, 1917-

Partial Transcript: I just have a couple more questions. Um, you may have read this recently in Time Magazine...

Segment Synopsis: Irvin offers his impressions of Happy Chandler as baseball commissioner. He also reflects on African Americans in sports, particularly in baseball. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Baseball desegregation; Baseball integration; Honus Wagner; Lou Gehrig; Monford Irvin

Subjects: African American baseball players; Baseball; Baseball commissioners; Baseball players; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991