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Today my guest will be Monty Irvin, an outfielder who swung a big bat for the Giants back in the days when the Giants called the Polar Grounds in New York home.
I'll begin my interview with Monty Irvin right after we hear this important message.
Monty Irvin, I think one of the big unfortunate things in this whole situation as far as baseball is concerned, is a guy like Monty Irvin didn't get a chance to get into baseball earlier.
How old were you when you first started?
Well, I got started late, Jackie. I was 31 when I started. And, of course, I was a little disappointed that I couldn't get started at an earlier age.
I think that most people in baseball say that a guy reaches his peak at about 28, 29 years of age.
You started at 31. Again, I say it's a real shame.
Monty, I think in 1951 that was perhaps your greatest year. And you led the league, didn't you, and RBI's?
And you came very close. And, well, matter of fact, there have been many, there were many people who thought that you were the most valuable player.
What do you think about the voting for the most valuable player?
Well, I think that there should be a new system, of course, devised to select or choose the most valuable player.
Back in the 1951 season, as I can remember, I thought I had a pretty good year, and also Sal Magley.
And we were real disappointed, of course, that Sal had won a week because he pitched a great ball.
And we just thought that Sal would be an automatic shoe-in. But, of course, Campy had a tremendous season, and he was selected.
There's no question about Roy having a great year.
There was certainly no question about that if it was going to be a giant, it was going to be either you or Sal.
I think perhaps there should be a change in the balloting. I don't know what the answer is, and I don't think it's our position to say.
But I think there's something wrong with it because if a fellow is not liked by one writer, or he has a vote, he will exclude him from all of his ten selections.
And I don't think this is fair, really.
Right. I can think of, I think it was the 1950 season when Robin Roberts had a tremendous year,
and I think everyone thought that he won the most valuable player that year. And I think someone else was selected.
I think Hank Sauer won it that year, to the amazement of all the Eastern fans, and particularly the Philadelphia Philly fans.
Monty Irvin, as I said earlier, I'm awfully sorry because I think Monty could have written a lot of records into the book had he been given an opportunity to, say, start playing when he was, say, 20 years of age.
We're also happy that you were able to drop by and chat with us. Appreciate a lot, Monty.
Always enjoyed talking to you.
Well, that just about does it for now, fans. See you soon.