Millito Navarro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Millito Navarro |
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| Born: September 26, 1905 Patillas, Puerto Rico |
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| Died: April 30, 2011 (aged 105) Ponce, Puerto Rico |
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| debut | |||
| 1928, for the Cuban Stars (1928–1929) | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| ca. 1949, for the Leones de Ponce | |||
| Negro league statistics | |||
| Batting average (Cuban Stars) |
.337 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
| Administrator, Paquito Montaner Stadium Ciudad Deportiva Millito Navarro Parque de los Ponceños Ilustres "The Ideal Professional Baseball Player" MLB ceremonial Negro League draftee - NYY Puerto Rico Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Inductee |
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Emilio Navarro (September 26, 1905 – April 30, 2011), known as "Millito Navarro", was a famous baseball player. He was the first person from Puerto Rico to play baseball in the United States Negro leagues. When he passed away at 105 years old, Navarro was the oldest former professional baseball player. He was also the last living player from the American Negro League.
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Navarro was born in Patillas, Puerto Rico, a town in Puerto Rico. His parents were Botello and Pepa Navarro. His father was a shoemaker who died when Emilio was only six years old. After his father's death, his mother moved the family to Ponce, Puerto Rico, where they had relatives.
Growing Up in Ponce
From a young age, Navarro helped his family earn money. He sold newspapers, peanuts, and ice. He went to Castillo Public School in Ponce. After school, he shined shoes and delivered food that his mother prepared.
How Millito Started Baseball
Navarro first discovered baseball by watching school games. One time, he couldn't afford a ticket to watch a game. He jumped over a fence in the outfield to get in. A player on the Castillo team got sick, and the coach saw Navarro. The coach asked him to play, and Navarro agreed. That's how his baseball journey began!
Turning Down College for Family
After finishing high school, Navarro was offered a scholarship to attend the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez. However, he decided not to go. Instead, he felt it was more important to help his family financially. He also believed he was ready to play in the Major Leagues in the U.S.
In the 1920s, the United States had strict rules about race. Black people were not allowed to play in the same baseball leagues as white people. Because of this, a group of business people created their own leagues called the Negro leagues. These teams played against each other and even had their own championship, the Negro World Series.
Playing for the Cuban Stars
Millito Navarro played for the Cuban Stars for two years. This team was owned by Alex Pompez. Navarro had a great batting average of .337. However, playing in the U.S. was sometimes difficult for him. He faced unfair treatment because of his skin color and because he didn't speak much English.
Playing Internationally and Returning Home
After playing in the Negro leagues, Navarro traveled to play baseball in other countries. He played for teams in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Later, when baseball in the United States started to allow players of all races, Navarro had already returned to Puerto Rico.
Founding the Leones de Ponce
Navarro used his baseball experience to help start the Leones de Ponce baseball team in his hometown of Ponce. He played for the team, coached, and helped in many other ways. He dedicated 20 years of his life to the "Leones."
Life After Baseball
After he stopped playing baseball, Navarro worked as the manager of the Francisco "Paquito" Montaner Stadium in Ponce. He held this job for 10 years.
Awards and Special Honors
Millito Navarro received many awards and honors throughout his life.
- In 1938, a sportswriter named Emilio Huike called Navarro the "Ideal Professional Baseball Player."
- On September 26, 2005, Navarro turned 100 years old. Many celebrations and tributes were held for him in Puerto Rico and the United States.
- His life story was featured in an American documentary called "Beisbol." This film showed how Hispanic people helped shape baseball in America.
- He was inducted into the Puerto Rico Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.
- In 2004, he was inducted into the Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame.
- The Senate of Puerto Rico honored him with a special resolution in 2005 for his contributions to baseball.
- On December 29, 2006, Navarro was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum.
MLB Recognition
On June 6, 2008, Major League Baseball held a special "Negro league draft." This was a way to honor the players who were not allowed to play in the main leagues because of their race. Navarro was chosen by the New York Yankees. He was also honored at a game at Yankee Stadium on September 18, 2008. In 2010, he was recognized as an outstanding active Senior Citizen in the United States.
Later Years and Passing
On April 27, 2011, Navarro was taken to Hospital San Lucas in Ponce after a small heart attack. Two days later, on April 30, 2011, he passed away after a stroke. He was 105 years old. He left behind four children, 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Millito Navarro left a lasting impact.
- On May 1, 2011, the New York Yankees held a moment of silence to honor him before their game.
- In 2011, his hometown of Ponce named a sports complex after him, called Ciudad Deportiva Millito Navarro.
- He is also honored at Ponce's Parque de los Ponceños Ilustres, a park that recognizes famous people from Ponce.
See also
In Spanish: Millito Navarro para niños
- List of Puerto Ricans
- List of Negro league baseball players
- Black history in Puerto Rico
