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Former Red Sox infielder Pumpsie Green dies at 85

By Jake Elman
Pumpsie Green hit .246 in five Major League seasons. Photo by Halvorsen brian/Wikimedia Commons
Pumpsie Green hit .246 in five Major League seasons. Photo by Halvorsen brian/Wikimedia Commons

July 17 (UPI) -- Former Major League infielder Elijah "Pumpsie" Green, who was the first black player in Boston Red Sox history, died Wednesday from unknown causes at the age of 85.

Green made his Major League debut as a pinch-runner on July 21, 1959. Boston was the last pre-expansion team to field a black player.

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"We salute the courage Pumpsie Green demonstrated 60 years ago when he became our first player of color," Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said. "Despite the challenges he faced, he showed great resilience and took pride in wearing our uniform. He honored us by his presence. We send our deepest condolences to Pumpsie's family and friends."

Green hit .246 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs for the Red Sox and New York Mets from 1959 to 1963.

Green played a career-high 133 games for the Red Sox in 1960. He hit .242 with three home runs and 21 RBIs in 260 at-bats that year.

Green threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a 2009 game to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his debut. He also threw out the first pitch in 2012 for Jackie Robinson Day and was inducted into Red Sox Hall of Fame in May 2018.

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A moment of silence was held before Boston's game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

"Pumpsie Green occupies a special place in our history," Red Sox principal owner John Henry said. "He was, by his own admission, a reluctant pioneer, but we will always remember him for his grace and perseverance in becoming our first African-American player.

"He paved the way for the many great Sox players of color who followed," Henry added. "For that, we all owe Pumpsie a debt of gratitude."

Notable deaths of 2019

Jerry Herman
Jerry Herman listens to remarks by U.S. President Barack Obama as the president and First Lady Michelle Obama host the 2010 Kennedy Center Honorees at a reception in the East Room of the White House on December 5, 2010. The Tony-award winning composer died on December 26, 2019, at the age of 88. File Pool Photo by Gary Fabiano/UPI | License Photo

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