{"id":93746,"date":"2025-01-11T21:17:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-12T02:17:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=93746"},"modified":"2025-01-11T21:17:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-12T02:17:33","slug":"felix-mantilla-passed-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/01\/11\/felix-mantilla-passed-away\/","title":{"rendered":"F\u00e9lix Mantilla, Infielder Who Broke up Harvey Haddix\u2019s Perfect Game, Has Passed Away"},"content":{"rendered":"

F\u00e9lix Mantilla<\/a>, 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<\/a>\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

F\u00e9lix Mantilla Has Passed Away<\/h2>\n

Mantilla, one of the first Puerto Ricans to play in the majors, played for the Milwaukee Braves<\/a> (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<\/a> ring with them in 1957. He also participated in the following year\u2019s Series, although the Yankees won that one, avenging their 1957 defeat. He was hitless in both Series.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m indebted to Roberto Clemente, F\u00e9lix 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.\u201d – F\u00e9lix Millan, 1973 NL Champion (N.Y. Mets) pic.twitter.com\/7cAIwen9J5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Talkin’ 21 (@Talkin21podcast) January 16, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n