Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green (born October 27, 1933 in Oakland, California) is a former Major League Baseball backup infielder who played with the Boston Red Sox (1959-62) and New York Mets (1963). He batted switch-hitter and threw right-handed.

Through his career, Green was a modest infielder who had the distinction of being the first black player signed by the Red Sox, who were the last major-league club to integrate. In his Boston tenure, he was used mostly as a pinch runner or day-off replacement for infielders Pete Runnels and Frank Malzone. He made his debut on July 21, 1959, pinch-running in a 2-1 loss against the White Sox.

Green enjoyed his best season in 1961, posting career highs in batting average (.260), home runs (6), RBI (27), doubles (12), stolen bases (4), at-bats (260) and games played (133). He played his final game with the Mets on September 26, 1963.

In a five-season career, Green was a .246 hitter with 13 home runs and 74 RBI in 344 games.

See also

• List of first black Major League Baseball players by team and date

External links

• Pumpsie Green at:
  • Baseball Almanac
  • Baseball Library
  • Baseball Reference
  • Diamond Fans
  • The New York Mets Hall of Records