Ozzie Virgil Sr.

Osvaldo José Virgil Pichardo (May 17, 1932 – September 29, 2024) was a Dominican professional baseball player and coach. He was the first person from the Dominican Republic to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) post-integration, appearing in 324 MLB games between 1956 and 1969 as a utility player for the New York / San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Frequently a third baseman, Virgil played every position except pitcher and center field. He batted and threw right-handed, was tall and weighed . His family emigrated to the United States when he was 13 and settled in the Bronx, where Virgil graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School. He served in the United States Marines from 1950 to 1952. On January 28, 1958, the Giants traded Virgil and Gail Harris to the Detroit Tigers for Jim Finigan and $25,000.

In 1960, Virgil played at third base, second base and the outfield under manager Charlie Metro with the Denver Bears in Triple-A. "I was crazy about him. He did everything well", said Metro. though in reality he was their first Latino. Virgil played in one game for the Giants in June 1969, ending his career. They won the NL pennant with the Padres in 1984, and Virgil was the NL third-base coach at the 1985 All-Star Game.

Virgil died from pancreatitis at his home in Monte Cristi on September 29, 2024. He was 92.