HOUSTON – Hall of Famer Monte Irvin played for the 1954 New York Giants who swept the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. His championship ring was stolen from his home in the ‘60s. No problem. He has three more in his possession, thanks to the Giants’ three titles in five years. The third was hand-delivered today by team president Larry Baer and general manager Bobby Evans at Irvin’s daughter’s home in West Houston, about 20 minutes from Minute Maid Park, where the Giants are playing a two-game series.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Irvin, 96, said after receiving the ring. “Baseball has been my life since I was 8 years old.”
Irvin, one of the first two African Americans to play for the Giants, along with Hank Thompson (in 1949), is protective of the three rings and plans to keep his new jewelry in a safe deposit box with his 2010 and 2012 models.“It’s so expensive compared to the ones that were given out years ago. This will really be well-kept,” Irvin said. “I’ll wear it only for special occasions . . . like going to the White House.”

During a two-hour visit with Irvin and his family, as the former outfielder spun tales of the Negro Leagues, his days with the Giants and teammate Willie Mays, Baer asked him if he ever had the chance to meet President Obama. Irvin said no but would love to. Right away, Baer invited Irvin and his family to join the Giants in their White House visit next month. It’s already on the Irvins’ family calendar. His daughter, Patricia Gordon, and grand daughter, Stacie Gordon Ashley, saw to it. “Monte is a treasure, a baseball treasure and a Giants treasure,” Baer said after his visit. “He represents our heritage going back to 1949. He represents the game of baseball in the same mold of Jackie Robinson, the same mold of that era. While he wasn’t on the field in 2014, what he did in his history with the Giants made it possible for those who were on the field. “He bridges cultural values in the most dignified way possible. I got chills walking in and seeing him today.” Five other Giants hall of Famers — Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda and Gaylord Perry — received World Series rings last month when the current players got theirs in an on-field pregame ceremony.

John Shea is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jshea@sfchronicle.com. Twitter @JohnSheaHey

Happy Birthday to the greatest from the NYGPS!!! Long may your cap fly off running the bases, long may you chase down balls in the gap and over your head, long may the ball fly off your bat and land over the wall, long may our memories of your greatness continue!!! Happy 84!!!

EXTRA BAGGS AT THE BERGINO CLUBHOUSE!!
Our 3rd meeting of the year (Trophy Tour, Jaime Rupert) will take place June 8 with Andrew Baggarly journalist, Jeopardy Champion, and author, who has covered the Giants since 2004. Andy has graciously agreed to speak to our group as the Giants come to town to play the Mets, June 9-11. Andy is the very talented Giants beat writer for the San Jose Mercury News. His twitter account is the 1st place Giants fans should go to when they need the latest on the Orange and Black. He is in my opinion, the best of all the Giants reporters and writers. Simply, he tells it like it is. Here is the link; this is must for serious Giants fans. https://twitter.com/extrabaggs along with his website http://andrewbaggarly.com/
Andy is the author of A Band of Misfits: Tales of the 2010 San Francisco Giants (2011) and Giant Splash: Bondsian Blasts, World Series Parades, and Other Thrilling Moments by the Bay (2015) Here is a blurb from Amazon about his newest book:
“Celebrate the golden age of San Francisco Giants baseball with Giant Splash, a firsthand account by Giants beat reporter and best-selling author Andrew Baggarly. Since the team moved to the shores of McCovey Cove in 2000, Giants fans have been thrilled by iconic players, historic moments, and heroic performances—not to mention three World Series championships. Giant Splash takes readers onto the field and inside the clubhouse for every unforgettable moment: Barry Bonds’ record-setting home runs, Tim Lincecum’s no-hitter, Matt Cain’s perfect game, Travis Ishikawa’s walk-off pennant winner, and many more.”
This will be a can’t miss event, especially for the majority of us who have remained Giants fans despite the fact that they moved 3,000 miles away, 57 years ago!!
I expect this to be a packed house at the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse http://www.bergino.com/
RSVP as soon as possible and please indicate if you would like to purchase either book, or one or the other. Andy will be happy to sign your book. I met Andy at CitiField and he was nice enough to sign my Band of Misfits book, which is a fabulous read!!
Looking forward to seeing many of you on the 8th, we are looking at 6, or 6:30 starting time. I will advise when I’m sure.-Gary