| Al McBean | |
|---|---|
 McBean in 1966 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1938-05-15)May 15, 1938 Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands | |
| Died: January 31, 2024(2024-01-31) (aged 85) United States Virgin Islands | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 2, 1961, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 10, 1970, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 67–50 |
| Earned run average | 3.13 |
| Strikeouts | 575 |
| Saves | 63 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Alvin O'Neal McBean (May 15, 1938 – January 31, 2024) was a professional baseball player from theUnited States Virgin Islands. He played inMajor League Baseball as apitcher, most notably for thePittsburgh Pirates with whom he played the majority of his career.
McBean grew up playingbaseball in his nativeVirgin Islands.[1] He was discovered when the Pittsburgh Pirates held a tryout inSt. Thomas in 1957. Originally only there to take pictures for a local paper, McBean was convinced by friends to try out, and ended up receiving an invite toSpring training 1958.[2]
After three seasons in the Pirates'farm system, in which he went 28–21 with a 3.57earned run average, McBean made his major league debut on July 2, 1961 in the first game of adoubleheader against theSan Francisco Giants atForbes Field. Entered a tied game, the first batter he faced,Ed Bailey, reached on anerror bysecond basemanBill Mazeroski. Adouble,wild pitch &single later, the Giants had plated tworuns. A four run eighthinning by the Pirates spared McBean from taking the loss in his major league debut.[3]
In his next 6 appearances, McBean pitched 10.2 innings without surrendering a run, and earning the first two wins of his career.[4] His first career start also came against the Giants on September 11. He allowed threeearned runs over nine innings, and left with the game tied for the no-decision.[5] For the season, he went 3–2 with a 3.75 ERA & 49strikeouts.
McBean was converted into a full-timestarting pitcher in 1962, and won his first three decisions. He finished with a 15–10 record & 3.70 ERA over the full season.
McBean was 2–1 with a 3.46 ERA when he was converted into areliever in May 1963. He was dominant in that role, going 11–2 with a 2.12 ERA and earning elevensaves out of thebullpen. After the season, he joinedRoberto Clemente'sNational LeagueLatinoAll-stars for a game at thePolo Grounds on October 12. McBean followedJuan Marichal's four scorelessinnings pitched with four scoreless of his own, and drove in a run with a sixth inningtriple to lead the NL to a 5–2 victory.[6]
McBean was even more dominant in 1964. Following a June 27 victory over theCincinnati Reds, McBean was 3–0 with an 0.69 ERA & eight saves. He earned 21 saves over the season, which was good enough for second place in the NL (to theHouston Colt .45s'Hal Woodeshick). Coupled with his 8–3 record, he was namedThe Sporting News' NLFireman of the Year.[7] He was again one of the NL's top relievers in 1965, going 6–6 with a 2.29 ERA & 19 saves.
WithRoy Face returning in 1966 from an injury plagued 1965 season, he resumed thecloser role. Meanwhile,managerHarry Walker relegated McBean to mop up duty. He appeared in 32 of the Pirates' 70 losses; the Pirates were 15–32 in games he appeared.
Walker was fired midway through the 1967 season, and replaced by his predecessor,Danny Murtaugh. At the time, McBean was 2–1 with a 3.04 ERA & four saves. After sixteen appearances out of the bullpen for Murtaugh, McBean was returned to thestarting rotation. He went 4–1 with a 2.11 ERA & fivecomplete games in seven starts for the manager he broke into the big leagues with. He went 9–12 with a 3.58 ERA in 1968.
McBean was the 50th player selected in the1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft by theSan Diego Padres.[8] He made just one appearance with the Padres before being dealt to theLos Angeles Dodgers forshortstopTommy Dean & pitcherLeon Everitt. Again a reliever, McBean went 2–6 with a 3.91 ERA & four saves out of the Dodgers' bullpen. After just one inning pitched with the Dodgers in 1970, McBean was released, and he returned toPittsburgh. He would make seven appearances, all in relief, before his May 18 release. He would pitch in thePhiladelphia Phillies' system into the 1971 season before retiring.
| W | L | Pct | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | R | HR | BB | K | WP | HBP | BAA | Fld% | Avg. |
| 67 | 50 | .573 | 3.13 | 409 | 76 | 22 | 5 | 63 | 1072.1 | 1058 | 373 | 430 | 63 | 365 | 575 | 35 | 30 | .262 | .931 | .197 |
McBean was a decent hitting pitcher. He had three career home runs, one of which came in his second career at bat.[9] He also hit agrand slam off theSt. Louis Cardinals'Larry Jaster.[10]
On August 27, 1962, McBean married Olga Santos Negron ofPlaya de Ponce, whom he had met the previous winter, while pitching in thePuerto Rican Winter League. His Pirates roommate Roberto Clemente served as best man while the bride was given away by 42-year-old rookie relieverDiomedes Olivo.[11][12]
Upon retirement, McBean returned to the Virgin Islands, and joined the St. Thomas Housing, Parks & Recreation Department. Moving up to deputy commissioner, he chartered the Little League program & beautification projects. He also had a landscaping business.[2] He also opened the Alvin McBean Recreation Complex on St. Thomas.[13]
McBean died on January 31, 2024, at the age of 85.[14]
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | The Sporting NewsNational LeagueFireman of the Year (1964) | Succeeded by |