 Monford Meryl Irvin graduated East Orange High School in New Jersey as a four-sport star who earned all-state honors. Monty became his professional baseball career at the age of 17 with the Negro league Newark Eagles. He was expected to be the black player that broke baseball's color barrier but lost that chance after returning from the Army with lingering ailments. Finally in July of 1949 at the age of 30 Irvin became one of the African American trailblazers to integrate baseball as an outfielder for the New York Giants. He won a National League pennant and helped the Giants to a World Championship in 1954. Monty Irvin was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. Celebrating black history, I'm Megan Triplett.