Monte Irvin and Hank Thompson become the first black players for the New York Giants

Monte Irvin and Hank Thompson become the first black players for the New York Giants

On July 8, 1949, Monte Irvin and Hank Thompson, brought up from Jersey City three days earlier, become the first black players for the New York Giants. Irvin walks in a pinch-hitting appearance in the 8th for Clint Hartung, while Thompson goes hitless in a 4-3 loss to Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The game marks…