Félix Mantilla, who played every infield and outfield position for four major league teams in 11 seasons, has passed away. Mantilla is best known for breaking up Harvey Haddix’s perfect game in the bottom of the 13th inning on May 26, 1959, and being a member of the 1962 New York Mets team that lost 120 games. He was 90 years old.
Félix Mantilla Has Passed Away
Mantilla, one of the first Puerto Ricans to play in the majors, played for the Milwaukee Braves (1956-61), Mets (1962), Boston Red Sox (1963-65), and Houston Astros (1966). The right-handed batter played seven positions, logging more games at second base (326) than any other position. For his career, he batted .261/.329/.403, 89 HR, and 330 RBI. Never an everyday player with the Braves, Mantilla earned a World Series ring with them in 1957. He also participated in the following year’s Series, although the Yankees won that one, avenging their 1957 defeat. He was hitless in both Series.
“I’m indebted to Roberto Clemente, Félix Mantilla, Orlando Cepeda who had to deal with prejudice because of their skin color and Latino roots. It would take time to erase a long history of stigmas and practices, written or unwritten.” – Félix Millan, 1973 NL Champion (N.Y. Mets) pic.twitter.com/7cAIwen9J5
— Talkin’ 21 (@Talkin21podcast) January 16, 2024
Mantilla Spoils a Perfect Game
Mantilla is best known for what he did on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday night in Milwaukee in 1959. Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates had a perfect game going for 12 innings. However, his mound opponent, Lew Burdette, held Pittsburgh scoreless on 12 hits through 13 innings, forcing Haddix to pitch in the unlucky 13th. Mantilla led off the inning by grounding a ball to Pirates third baseman Don Hoak. Hoak’s throw was low, and Pirates first baseman Rocky Nelson failed to scoop it out of the dirt. Mantilla reached base as the throw skipped away, and after he was sacrificed to second by Eddie Mathews, the next batter, Henry Aaron was intentionally passed. The rest, as they say, is history. Joe Adcock hit a high slider over the fence, was called out when he passed Aaron on the bases, and gave Haddix a 1-0, one-hit loss.
Mantilla Gets His Chance
Mantilla finally got a chance to play every day when the Mets selected him in the 12th round of the 1961 expansion draft. The 1962 Mets finished 40-120 and were regarded as the worst team in modern baseball history until the 2024 Chicago White Sox finished 41-121. (News flash: The 1962 Mets are still the worst. Their winning percentage was .250. The 2024 Chisox’s winning percentage was .253.) Playing mostly at third base for the Mets, he hit a respectable .275/.330/.399, 11 HR, and 59 RBI. Among qualifiers, it was the second-best batting average on that hapless club.
That didn’t escape the notice of the Red Sox, who traded for him in time for the 1963 season. Back in a reserve role, he hit .315/.384/.461. Playing every day once again in 1964, he shocked the baseball world by hitting 30 home runs to go with a .289/.357/.553 slash line. Before that season, he had 35 homers in 1,597 career at-bats. He followed that up with a .275/.374/.416, 18 HR, 92 RBI performance in 1965. That year, he was an All-Star and received Most Valuable Player consideration.
Alas, he spent 1966 with Houston, where his stats took a drastic plunge. The Astros released him so he could sign on with the Chicago Cubs. Unfortunately, an Achilles tendon tear ended his major league career.
Photo Credit: © Dale Guldan / USA TODAY NETWORK
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