DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Osvaldo Virgil in 1956 became the first Dominican to reach Major League Baseball (MLB). His debut with the New York Giants on 23 September 1956 would open the doors for thousands of other Dominican players who would follow. Today the Dominican Republic is the leading provider of foreign players to the world’s most important baseball league. And today, all MLB teams have baseball academies in the Dominican Republic.s

Virgil passed away on 29 September 2024. He was 92 years old. He is recognized for his exemplary behavior, discipline in sports, and a lasting legacy, earning him numerous accolades throughout his life.

President Luis Abinader ordered that Tuesday, 1 October 2024 be a day of official mourning for the passing of Osvaldo Jose Virgil Pichardo. The Ministry of Defense was instructed to provide military honors and the national flag will fly at half-mast on Tuesday, 1...