Osvaldo José "Ozzie" Virgil Jr. is a former Major League Baseball catcher and a respected figure in the baseball community. With a career spanning from 1980 to 1990, Ozzie played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and Toronto Blue Jays. He is a two-time National League All-Star (1985 and 1987) and was known for his powerful bat, hitting a career-high 27 home runs with the Braves in 1987. That same year, he made history in the MLB All-Star Game, becoming the first player to record a leadoff hit in the 13th inning of a scoreless game and score the game’s winning run.

Ozzie’s career in MLB spanned 739 games, during which he accumulated 549 hits and 98 home runs. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth round of the 1976 MLB Draft and earned the Carolina League MVP award in 1978, a testament to his early talent and promise. His father, Ozzie Virgil Sr., was the first player from the Dominican Republic to appear in Major League Baseball.

After retiring as a player, Ozzie transitioned into management, leading the Surprise Fightin’ Falcons of the independent Golden Baseball League in 2005. His leadership experience, combined with his deep understanding of the game, makes him an invaluable asset to Diamond Dreams Academy.

As an Advisory Board Member, Ozzie Virgil Jr. brings decades of playing, coaching, and managerial experience to the Academy’s mission to introduce and elevate baseball in India.