Felix Mantilla, a one-time All-Star with the Boston Purple Sox and World Sequence champion as a member of the Milwaukee Braves, has died at age 90.
The Braves have since moved to Atlanta, however Mantilla stays a big determine in Milwaukee’s baseball historical past and town’s present membership, the Brewers, honored him on Saturday.
‘We’re heartbroken to be taught of the passing of Felix Mantilla, an iconic determine in Milwaukee who was an inspiration to all of us within the Milwaukee baseball neighborhood,’ the Brewers stated in a press release.
Mantilla helped to prepare a youth league within the Milwaukee space that also bears his identify.
‘We are going to eternally bear in mind Felix for his time with the Milwaukee Braves, however much more for the impression he had on 1000’s of kids by way of the Felix Mantilla Little League,’ the Brewers assertion continued. ‘Our love and ideas are with Felix’s expensive spouse, Kay, and the various family and friends who be a part of us in mourning his passing.’
A reason behind demise has not been given.
The Braves’ trio of Juan Pizarro, Humberto Robinson, and Felix Mantilla (proper) are seen at Yankee Stadium in 1958 earlier than Recreation 3 of the World Sequence
Felix Mantilla would go on to be a member of the notorious 1962 New York Mets
‘Our metropolis remembers Félix Mantilla,’ Milwaukee mayor Cavalier Johnson wrote on X.
‘He lived a outstanding life. He was each a baseball all star and a world champion. His neighborhood work included the Félix Mantilla Little League -introducing children to teamwork, self-discipline and enjoyable. My ideas are together with his household and his followers.’
A minor- and Main League teammate of Hank Aaron’s, Mantilla was a key contributor to the Braves’ Nationwide League pennants in 1957 and 1958, to not point out the membership’s seven-game upset of the New York Yankees within the 1957 World Sequence.
Born in Isabela, Puerto Rico on July 29, 1934, Mantilla was primarily an infielder, though the pure righty was able to taking part in within the outfield as effectively.
He was famously chosen by the enlargement New York Mets in 1962 and went on to play one season for what many take into account the worst group of the trendy period.
Casey Stengel’s membership would end with a 40-120 file.
‘I do not suppose anybody dreamed the group was going to be that dangerous. On paper, it did not look that dangerous,’ Mantilla would later inform reporters.
The 1962 New York Mets are seen on the Polo Grounds. Mantilla is pictured on the left aspect of the second row between Cliff Prepare dinner, a pickup from the Cincinnati Reds, and Chris Cannizzaro
The 71-year-old Stengel, Mantilla stated, ‘would carry out the lineup to the umps earlier than the sport, then would return into the dugout and fall asleep. I assume he could not bear watching.’
However Mantilla’s profession would get new life in Boston in 1963 as his common jumped from .215 in his closing season in Milwaukee to .275 in New York and .315 at hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
Mantilla would have his greatest season in 1964, hitting a career-high 30 residence runs, though it would not be till the next season that he’d lastly get an All-Star nod at age 30.
However Mantilla’s MLB profession would shortly fizzle. He was traded to the Houston Astros for Eddie Kasko in 1966 and later signed with the Chicago Cubs, solely to be sidelined after rupturing his Achilles.
Mantilla by no means performed one other Main League recreation.
The utility participant just lately misplaced a teammate from the 1962 Mets: Reliever Ken MacKenzie handed away in December of 2023 on the age of 89.
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