Honouring Irish McIlveen
On July 1, 2006, the Northstars team wore black shirts and Pittsburgh Pirates caps to mark the 100th anniversary of Irish McIlveen's major league debut.
Highly acclaimed and praised as a phenomenon during baseball’s ‘deadball era’, McIlveen remains Belfast’s only link to the major leagues.
He made his debut, pitching for the Pirates on July 4, 1906.
The 2006 game against the Dublin Spartans was won fittingly by Spartans left-handed pitcher Chaime Cuevas.
In an interview with the Irish News after the game, John Dillon, Ireland international and Spartans club captain, said it was a privilege to be involved in the celebrations.
"While the baseball league in Ireland is still in its infancy, it is satisfying to know that so many Irish emigrants have gone before us and played in the major leagues in the US.
"Perhaps one day, we’ll be seeing another Irish player emigrating to the US to play in the majors."
In addition, Northstars infielder Simon Doyle wears uniform number 53, the number of major league games played by McIlveen in his short career.
Read more about this topic: Belfast Northstars
Famous quotes containing the word irish:
“I hope you will not be washed away by the Irish sea.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)