Emilio ¨Millito¨ Navarro

Emilio Navarro

Born: September 26, 1905 in Patillas, Puerto Rico
Died: April 30, 2011 in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HT: 5-6 WT: 170 lb.
Position: 2B/Manager

In 1928, he became the first Puerto Rican to play regularly in the Organized Negro Leagues with the New York Cubans in the Eastern Colored League.  The following year he was the first Puerto Rican to play in the American Negro League.  A beloved and respected player, in his prime he was compared to Frankie Frisch. When the Puerto Rico Professional League began in 1938, he was already 33 years old but still performed well in a very competitive league.  Managed twice the Ponce Leones team (1938-39 and 1946-47). Named to the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.

Photo colorization: Joe Torres

error: Content is protected !!