CLAIM TO FAME: A true baseball star, he is known in Citrus County more for his generosity than his legendary diamond skills. For years he has been a major contributor to the Key Training Center, which provides daily living, social skills, job training, residential services and life-sustaining care for the developmentally disabled. Irvin donates autographed bats and other collectibles such as baseball cards and photos. The training center honored him with a dinner in 2002 to thank him for his efforts. The event drew the likes of Dom DiMaggio, Joe Morgan, Robin Roberts and Don Zimmer. More than $6,000 was raised. Irvin also enjoys speaking to area youth about his baseball career and the many obstacles he faced as one of the first black players in the major leagues. He was among the Negro Leagues' finest players, batting nearly .400 and shining at shortstop, third base and in the outfield. He signed with the New York Giants in 1949, and two years later hit .312 with 24 home runs and a league-leading 121 RBIs to help get the Giants to the World Series. Irvin was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "He has always been there. If we need an autographed bat or this and that, he's always there to donate it. He plays a crucial role with the Key Center. He just can't do enough for you." - Bob Mallock, Key Center Foundation development representative.
DID YOU KNOW?: Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1947, but according to several accounts, Irvin also was considered for that honor. The Negro League Players Association quotes James "Cool Papa" Bell, a famed Negro Leaguer and Hall of Famer, as calling Irvin the "best young ballplayer at the time. He could do everything. It's not that Jackie Robinson wasn't a good ballplayer, but we wanted Monte because we knew what he could do." Bad luck might have kept Irvin from making history. He was drafted into the war and returned with an inner ear problem that left his skills slightly diminished.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Irvin and his wife Dee have lived in Citrus County since 1984.
WORDS TO LIVE BY: "I live by the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It's in the Bible ... I love to give back. I've been fortunate. I like to help others who come after me. It particularly makes me happy when I'm able to help somebody not as fortunate as me. I get delight out of helping kids. The children, they're the gems of the world. When you see the glow on some of their faces that's payment enough."
