SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORIS. – President Luis Abinader enacted Law number 69-25, authored by the senator for Duarte province, Franklin Romero, which declares September 23 of each year as “National Baseball Player Day” in honor of Osvaldo Virgil, who became the first Dominican to debut in Major League Baseball in 1956 with the New York Giants.
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The promulgation of the Head of State, representing the Executive Branch, is dated July 31st of the current year 2025, and orders its publication in the Official Gazette for its knowledge and compliance. Upon learning of President Abinader’s decision, Senator Franklin Romero expressed his satisfaction, considering that it does justice to the great contributions to baseball made by Osvaldo Virgil.
“The 23rd of September of each year will be a holiday, to remember a glory of the king sport of the Dominican Republic, as is Don Osvaldo Virgil, who opened the floodgates wide to the immense Dominican talent in Major League Baseball,” expressed Romero through a press release issued by the Senatorial Management Office Duarte.
The congressman highlighted the immense contribution made throughout his life by Osvaldo Virgil, since his entry into Major League Baseball has brought enormous benefits to the national economy, and to the expansion of that sports discipline in the country.
Franklin Romero recalled that a law of his authorship, 7-22, designates the stadium of La Normal with the name of the legendary former baseball player.
Osvaldo José Virgil Pichardo, better known as Ozzie Virgil (born May 17, 1932, in Montecristi), was a Dominican former utility player who played in Major League Baseball between 1956 and 1969 for the New York Giants (1956-57), Detroit Tigers (1958, 1960-61), Kansas City Athletics (1961), Baltimore Orioles (1962), Pittsburgh Pirates (1965), and San Francisco Giants (1966, 1969).
After his baseball career ended, Ozzie spent 19 seasons as a trainer for the San Francisco Giants (1969-72, 1974-75), Montreal Expos (1976-81), San Diego Padres (1982-85), and Seattle Mariners (1986-88). From 1977 to 1988, he served as a third base coach alongside Hall of Famer and former manager, Dick Williams. Virgil passed away on September 29, 2024, at the age of 92.
