Félix Mantilla

Who is Félix Mantilla?

Félix Mantilla Lamela is a former Major League Baseball player. In his 11-year career, Mantilla played for the Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros. An infielder/outfielder, he played second base the majority of his career. He also played shortstop, third base, the outfield and, in the latter part of his career, first base. He batted and threw right-handed.

Mantilla and two other black players joined the Jacksonville Braves of the Class-A South Atlantic League in 1953. This was one of the first two integrated baseball teams in the Southern United States. During this time Mantilla was the roommate of Hank Aaron. Mantilla and Aaron were both called up to the major leagues, playing for the Milwaukee Braves. Both were on the team when they won the World Series title in 1957. He was selected by the New York Mets in the expansion draft and became their most regular third baseman in 1962, establishing career highs in batting average, home runs and RBI. At the end of the season he was traded to the Red Sox for three players, two of whom were Pumpsie Green and Tracy Stallard.