CalL1 Stockton Ports

Ports to Honor Former Player Pumpsie Green

Published on July 10, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. -The Stockton Ports are excited to honor alumnus Pumpsie Green in an on-field ceremony prior to the 7:05 p.m. game on Saturday, July 11. Green was the 1955 California League MVP and the first African-American to play for the Boston Red Sox, the last Major League team to integrate.

The Ports will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his historic Major League debut on Saturday.

"Pumpsie Green was a terrific player, and the Ports are proud to have been a part of his professional career. His debut was an important event in Major League Baseball history, and it is our pleasure to honor Pumpsie for all of his hard work and dedication in his career," said Ports President and General Manager Pat Filippone. "We value the contributions of each of our alumni, and we are committed to honoring those contributions in any way we can."

Green is a native of Oakland, and had a terrific season for the Ports in 1955. He batted .319 with 31 doubles, 11 triples, 12 home runs and 83 RBI. He also stole 31 bases that season. For his performance, Green was named the California League post-season All-Star shortstop and the California League MVP.

Green's contract was purchased by the Boston Red Sox in 1955 in the middle of the season. He played in their minor league system from 1956 to 1959, helping the San Francisco Seals to the Pacific League Coast championship title in 1957.

Green made his major league debut on Tuesday, July 21, 1959 at Chicago. He entered the game as a pinch-runner and remained in the game to play shortstop. He did not record an official at-bat in the contest, which Boston lost, 2-1. But he had made history, integrating the Boston Red Sox a full 12 years after Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Green spent a total of five seasons in the major leagues, four with the Red Sox and one with the New York Mets. He compiled a .246 batting average, with 31 doubles, 12 triples, 13 home runs and 74 RBI in 344 total career games.

Green has made an indelible mark, both in the California League and in the Major Leagues. The Ports are proud to have been a part of his professional career.

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