Statement on the passing of Felix Mantilla

Felix Mantilla was both champion on the field for the 1957 Milwaukee Braves, and a champion off the field who left a lasting impact on the community he loved. I was saddened to learn of his passing over the weekend, as I know this iconic figure meant so much to so many.

Mantilla was from Puerto Rico, the same as my family, and at a young age he was a role model for me and countless others as one of the first Puerto Rican born players to play in Major League Baseball.

It was in 1972 that Mantilla co-founded the Felix Mantilla Little League (now a part of Journey House Athletics programming), on the city’s south side to cultivate a safe, fun, and competitive environment for young people. The Felix Mantilla Little League also includes an Education & Cultural Exchange Program that hosts Puerto Rican players in Milwaukee and sponsors baseball, learning and adventure trips to Puerto Rico for groups of Mantilla league players.

I was a part of the Mantilla league as a child, and it was the extra focus on academics and culture that really left a lasting impact on me. It is an experience I will never forget.

My thoughts are with his family and friends as they mourn his loss, and I join the many within the community who will forever appreciate his contributions on and off the field.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Felix Mantilla Little League. Online donations may be made to http://tiny.cc/FMLLDonation and checks may be sent to Journey House, ATTN: Felix Mantilla Little League, P.O. Box 340695, Milwaukee, WI 53234.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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