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Virgil made history for Dominican Republic 50 years ago.

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From: San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, CA)
Date: 20060922
Author:

Byline: Daniel Brown

Fifty years ago, at the Polo Grounds, the Giants' Ozzie Virgil became the first native of the Dominican Republic to play in the major leagues. He can recall with clarity his pride _ and his nerves _ on Sept. 23, 1956. The thing that escapes him is what actually happened in that historic first at-bat.

"I don't remember, believe it or not," Virgil, 73, said by phone from his home in Monte Cristi, D.R. "I just know I went 0 for 4."

Let the record show that Virgil hit the ball to shortstop. One Giants groundout for man, one giant leap for mankind.

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