PRESS RELEASE
March 1, 2023
Baseball Legend Honors His Roots as Irish Baseball Ambassador
New York, NY (March 1, 2023) – Baseball legend Steve Garvey has been selected to serve as the first Irish Baseball Ambassador by the Irish American Baseball Society.
In his new role, Garvey will meet with Irish American business leaders and community organizations to promote baseball initiatives in Ireland.
“This year, we expect 5,000 boys and girls in Ireland to play baseball for the first time,” explained Garvey. “We need to expand the infrastructure of coaches, equipment, and playing fields necessary to meet the demand and allow more kids to play the game.”
Garvey represents the Irish American Baseball Society, a US-based non-profit organization with over 10,000 members. Members include baseball players, coaches, executives, media personalities, and fans who all share a common interest in baseball and Ireland.
The organization supports youth baseball programs in Ireland and operates the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame, of which Garvey is a member.
“We’re bringing Irish Americans closer to their roots in Ireland by celebrating the Irish impact on the game’s history,” explained Garvey. “No one can deny that the Irish have always loved baseball.”
The late 19th century, often referred to as baseball’s “Emerald Age,” saw Irish immigrants and first generation Irish Americans dominate America’s pastime. Among the records and “firsts” still held by Irish ballplayers:
- First Run Scored in a Major League Game: Tim McGinley (1876)
- First RBI: Jack Manning (1876)
- First Batter to Hit for the Cycle: Curry Foley (1882)
- First Perfect Game: Pud Galvin (1876)
- Most Runs Scored, Season (198): Billy Hamilton (1894)
- Highest Batting Average, Season (.440): Hugh Duffy (1894)
- First No-Hitter in the American League: Pete Dowling (1901)
- Lowest Career ERA: Ed Walsh (1.81)
Researchers at the Irish American Baseball Society have also discovered the Irish roots of many current and former players, including Hall of Famers Ted Williams (Cork), Cal Ripken Jr. (Donegal), Greg Maddux (Cavan), and All-Stars Clayton Kershaw (Tyrone), Kris Bryant (Wexford), and Jeff McNeil (Monaghan).
In Ireland, the first recorded game was played in 1874 when the Boston Red Stockings took on the Philadelphia Athletics in Dublin. Baseball remained a minor sport in Ireland until youth baseball took hold in Waterford and Dublin in the 1950s and 60s. The game returned to the Emerald Isle for good when the first Irish Little League team formed in Dublin in 1993. Today, baseball is played in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“It’s an exciting time for the Irish Baseball movement,” explained Garvey. “We’re making great strides in Ireland and America. Together, we can all make a big impact on the future of Irish Baseball.”
For more information about Steve Garvey’s work as Irish Baseball Ambassador, visit IrishBaseball.org/Steve.
About Irish Baseball Ambassador Steve Garvey
Steve Garvey is a World Series Champion, 10-time All-Star, the 1974 National League MVP, and a member of the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame. Among his career achievements:
- World Series champion (1981)
- 4x Gold Glove Award winner (1974, 1975, 1976, 1977)
- 1974 NL MVP
- 10x National League All-Star
- 2x All-Star Game MVP (1974, 1978)
- 2x NLCS MVP (1978, 1984)
- 1981 Roberto Clemente Award
- 1984 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award
About the Irish American Baseball Society
The Irish American Baseball Society celebrates the Irish impact on the game of baseball and supports the development of youth baseball programs in Ireland and America. Membership is open to anyone who loves baseball and Ireland, regardless of their ancestral heritage. For more information, visit IrishBaseball.org.
The Irish American Baseball Society is a non-profit subsidiary of Emerald Diamond International. Federal Tax ID: 20-4623222. For more information, visit EmeraldDiamond.org.
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