Giants to retire Monte Irvin's number

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The San Francisco Giants plan to retire the No. 20 jersey number worn by Hall of Famer Monte Irvin.

Irvin, who became the first black player in Giants history when he signed with the club on July 8, 1949, will be honored at a June 26 ceremony at AT&T Park prior to San Francisco's game against the Boston Red Sox.

Irvin made history in 1951 when he joined Mays and Hank Thompson to form the first all-African-American outfield. That same season, the Haleberg, Ala. native batted .312 with 24 home runs and a league-leading 121 RBIs while helping the Giants win the NL pennant.

Irvin will become just the 11th player to have his jersey number retired by the Giants.

Inducted into the baseball's Hall of Fame in 1973, Irvin owned a career .293 average with 99 home runs and 443 RBIs in eight season in the majors, but his legacy was established long before that as a five-time All-Star in the Negro Leagues.