Monte Irvin was born near Columbus at Haleburg, Alabama on February 25, 1919. He signed to play pro baseball in the Cuban Winter League where he was seen by a New York Giant scout and signed a contract. In 1948 he was called up from Jersey City to play with the Giants until 1955. He became this team's spiritual leader on the way to two Giant pennants and a World's Championship. He finished playing with the Chicago Cubs in 1956. In 1968 he became Assistant Director of Public Relations on the Baseball Commissioner's staff. He now lives at Homasassa, Florida.