Pumpsie Green - Definition

Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green (born October 27, 1933 in Oakland, California) is a former Major League Baseball backup infielder who played with the Boston Red Sox (1959-62) and New York Mets (1963). He batted switch-hitter and threw right-handed.

Through his career, Green was a modest infielder who had the distinction of being the first black player signed by the Red Sox, who were the last major leagues club to integrate. In his Boston tenure, he was used mostly as a pinch runner or day-off replacement for infielders Pete Runnels and Frank Malzone. He made his debut on July 21, 1959, pinch-running in a 2-1 loss against the White Sox.

Green enjoyed his best season in 1961, posting career highs in batting average (.260), home runs (6), RBI (27), doubles (12), stolen bases (4), at-bats (260) and games played (133). He played his final game with the Mets on September 26, 1963.

In a five-season career, Green was a .246 hitter with 13 home runs and 74 RBI in 344 games.

See also

• List of first black Major League Baseball players by team and date

External links

• Pumpsie Green at:
  • Baseball Almanac (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=greenpu01)
  • Baseball Library (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/G/Green_Pumpsie.stm)
  • Baseball Reference (http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/greenpu01.shtml)
  • Diamond Fans (http://www.diamondfans.com/profile-greenp.html)
  • The New York Mets Hall of Records (http://www.rndng3rd.com/mets/playrsgl/pumgre.html)

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