In Loving Memory of Félix Mantilla - “A storyteller’s life never truly ends, for their stories echo on in the hearts of those who listened.” – Author Unknown
|
|
“Journey House mourns the loss of MLB Legend Felix Mantilla. The Journey House and our Felix Mantilla Little League are forever blessed by Felix Mantilla, a true game-changer! As MLB Legend Felix Mantilla would tell our youth and teams, ‘You need to swing the bat to get off the island.’ Mr. Mantilla always inspired and motivated our Felix Mantilla Little League players. He has impacted tens of thousands of youth for over 53 years and has changed lives for the better. He will forever be remembered and always missed.”
Dr. Michele Bria, CEO
Dr. Michele Bria, CEO
News of Felix Mantilla Legacy
TMJ4 video interviews Félix Tony Mantilla and some of our Félix Mantilla Little League Alumni
after the Celebration of Life:
Milwaukee MLB Legend Félix Mantilla Remembered On and Off the Field (TMJ4, January 19, 2025)
https://www.tmj4.com/news/milwaukee-county/milwaukee-mlb-legend-felix-mantilla-remembered-on-and-off-the-field
Félix Mantilla – Special Video Created for his Celebration of Life by his granddaughter Julie Mantilla Hanson and Danielle Fluegge (January 19, 2025)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U2vhbS9wfMC3CXXSi8gaegYJMi7HSfgp/view?usp=sharing
Other News Stories Include:
Felix Mantilla was among the Last of Milwaukee Braves Leaves Deep Impression (JS Online, January 13, 2025)
https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2025/01/13/felix-mantilla-among-last-of-milwaukee-braves-leaves-deep-impression/77670891007/
Felix Mantilla, Member of Original 1962 Mets, Dead at 90 – New York Post (New York Post, January 12, 2025)
https://nypost.com/2025/01/11/sports/felix-mantilla-member-of-original-1962-mets-dead-at-90/
Former Milwaukee Brave Felix Mantilla Dead at 90 (UWM Post, January 18, 2025)
https://uwmpost.com/sports/felix-mantilla-milwaukee-braves
after the Celebration of Life:
Milwaukee MLB Legend Félix Mantilla Remembered On and Off the Field (TMJ4, January 19, 2025)
https://www.tmj4.com/news/milwaukee-county/milwaukee-mlb-legend-felix-mantilla-remembered-on-and-off-the-field
Félix Mantilla – Special Video Created for his Celebration of Life by his granddaughter Julie Mantilla Hanson and Danielle Fluegge (January 19, 2025)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U2vhbS9wfMC3CXXSi8gaegYJMi7HSfgp/view?usp=sharing
Other News Stories Include:
Felix Mantilla was among the Last of Milwaukee Braves Leaves Deep Impression (JS Online, January 13, 2025)
https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2025/01/13/felix-mantilla-among-last-of-milwaukee-braves-leaves-deep-impression/77670891007/
Felix Mantilla, Member of Original 1962 Mets, Dead at 90 – New York Post (New York Post, January 12, 2025)
https://nypost.com/2025/01/11/sports/felix-mantilla-member-of-original-1962-mets-dead-at-90/
Former Milwaukee Brave Felix Mantilla Dead at 90 (UWM Post, January 18, 2025)
https://uwmpost.com/sports/felix-mantilla-milwaukee-braves
Felix Mantilla Little League Legacy
Founded in 1972, the Felix Mantilla Little League is one of the oldest Little League in the United States with a Major League Baseball Legend: Felix Mantilla. Journey House is honored to partner with MLB Legend Felix Mantilla and his family to provide high-quality baseball and education. Milwaukee County Baran Park has been the home playing field for the Little League. In 2015, Journey House took over the management of the Felix Mantilla Little League. In July 2020, Journey House completed the renovation and installation of three synthetic infield Little League fields, one natural tee ball, and one Major League Baseball quality natural high school field. This $2.2 million investment of philanthropic resources, which was raised by Journey House and the Felix Mantilla Family, transformed Baran Park from dilapidated baseball fields to high-quality, state-of-the-art fields. A true game-changer! Since 2015, over 64,128 youth and families benefited from the Journey House Felix Mantilla Baseball Program and outdoor baseball complex.
The Felix Mantilla Little League values the lessons that have long been taught by athletic participation: the pursuit of excellence through personal development and teamwork, ethical and responsible behavior on the field and off, leadership and strength of character, and sportsmanship—respect for one’s opponents, acceptance of victory with humility, and acknowledgement of defeat with grace.
Additionally, our Felix Mantilla Little League values equally the importance of giving young men and women a broader, more global perspective. After all, their chances of playing professional baseball pale in comparison to their opportunity to become productive members of society, which is our primary goal at Journey House, which operates the Felix Mantilla Little League.
In teaching these lessons, Journey House and the Felix Mantilla Little League instill habits that will lead student athletes to better, healthier lives. While winning is not an end in itself, we believe that our athletes' efforts to be their best will lead them to succeed throughout their lives.
Through ongoing exposure to programs as diverse as local, regional, and national educational-based travel, regularly scheduled study hall sessions, participation in presentations by outside speakers, and competition in challenging essay contests, our goal is to combine sports and life-changing experiences in a manner that gives our kids the tools and skill set necessary to succeed in today's fiercely competitive workplace years down the road.
Felix Mantilla Little League Cultural Exchange 2016 and 2017:
Major League Baseball Legend Felix Mantilla, along with many generous local donors, sponsored a two-year, 5-Day Education and Cultural Exchange Tour (2016-2017) for 28 Scholar Athletes from Milwaukee, WI, and Isabela, Puerto Rico. In August 2016, fourteen All-Star Felix Mantilla Little Leaguers (ages 9 to 10 years old) traveled to Felix Mantilla’s birthplace of Isabela, Puerto Rico, for a truly transformative, life-changing experience: Changing Lives in Five Days!
In August 2017, fourteen Isabela, Puerto Rico, little league baseball players traveled to Milwaukee, WI. On this 5-day exchange, the Scholar Athletes formed relationships that will last a lifetime. Beyond art and baseball, the deep relationships our Milwaukee and Isabela children and families formed have created friends for a lifetime. Our Scholar Athletes chanted throughout the weekend, “We are Best Friends!” and “One Dream, One Team!”
Founded in 1972, the Felix Mantilla Little League is one of the oldest Little League in the United States with a Major League Baseball Legend: Felix Mantilla. Journey House is honored to partner with MLB Legend Felix Mantilla and his family to provide high-quality baseball and education. Milwaukee County Baran Park has been the home playing field for the Little League. In 2015, Journey House took over the management of the Felix Mantilla Little League. In July 2020, Journey House completed the renovation and installation of three synthetic infield Little League fields, one natural tee ball, and one Major League Baseball quality natural high school field. This $2.2 million investment of philanthropic resources, which was raised by Journey House and the Felix Mantilla Family, transformed Baran Park from dilapidated baseball fields to high-quality, state-of-the-art fields. A true game-changer! Since 2015, over 64,128 youth and families benefited from the Journey House Felix Mantilla Baseball Program and outdoor baseball complex.
The Felix Mantilla Little League values the lessons that have long been taught by athletic participation: the pursuit of excellence through personal development and teamwork, ethical and responsible behavior on the field and off, leadership and strength of character, and sportsmanship—respect for one’s opponents, acceptance of victory with humility, and acknowledgement of defeat with grace.
Additionally, our Felix Mantilla Little League values equally the importance of giving young men and women a broader, more global perspective. After all, their chances of playing professional baseball pale in comparison to their opportunity to become productive members of society, which is our primary goal at Journey House, which operates the Felix Mantilla Little League.
In teaching these lessons, Journey House and the Felix Mantilla Little League instill habits that will lead student athletes to better, healthier lives. While winning is not an end in itself, we believe that our athletes' efforts to be their best will lead them to succeed throughout their lives.
Through ongoing exposure to programs as diverse as local, regional, and national educational-based travel, regularly scheduled study hall sessions, participation in presentations by outside speakers, and competition in challenging essay contests, our goal is to combine sports and life-changing experiences in a manner that gives our kids the tools and skill set necessary to succeed in today's fiercely competitive workplace years down the road.
Felix Mantilla Little League Cultural Exchange 2016 and 2017:
Major League Baseball Legend Felix Mantilla, along with many generous local donors, sponsored a two-year, 5-Day Education and Cultural Exchange Tour (2016-2017) for 28 Scholar Athletes from Milwaukee, WI, and Isabela, Puerto Rico. In August 2016, fourteen All-Star Felix Mantilla Little Leaguers (ages 9 to 10 years old) traveled to Felix Mantilla’s birthplace of Isabela, Puerto Rico, for a truly transformative, life-changing experience: Changing Lives in Five Days!
In August 2017, fourteen Isabela, Puerto Rico, little league baseball players traveled to Milwaukee, WI. On this 5-day exchange, the Scholar Athletes formed relationships that will last a lifetime. Beyond art and baseball, the deep relationships our Milwaukee and Isabela children and families formed have created friends for a lifetime. Our Scholar Athletes chanted throughout the weekend, “We are Best Friends!” and “One Dream, One Team!”
Félix Mantilla, a pioneering figure in both Puerto Rican and Major League Baseball, passed away on January 10, 2025, at the age of 90. Known for his stellar career during the Golden Age of baseball in the United States and Puerto Rico and his deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of baseball talent, Mantilla’s impact on the sport was felt far beyond the diamond.
Born on July 29, 1934, in Isabela, Puerto Rico to Juan Mantilla Vendrell and Natividad Lamela de Mantilla, Mantilla’s early years in baseball were shaped by his time in the Puerto Rican Winter League, where he played professionally for the Caguas Criollos and the San Juan Senadores. He helped lead the Caguas team to multiple Puerto Rican League championships and one Caribbean League World Series Championship. Team success for Mantilla in Puerto Rico also included a World Amateur Baseball Championship in 1951. On an individual level, Mantilla played on multiple All Star teams, for over 50 years he held the record for most home runs in a single game with 3 and was inducted into the Puerto Rico Sports Hall of Fame, the Caguas Criollos Hall of Fame, and the Sports Hall of Fame in his hometown of Isabela. Moreover, his hometown erected a baseball stadium that is named in his honor.
Puerto Rican baseball definitely laid the foundation for a Major League Baseball career that spanned 11 seasons, including stints with the Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. A versatile infielder and outfielder, Mantilla was known for his steady bat, surprising power, exceptional quickness, great defense, and leadership. While in Milwaukee, Mantilla won two National League Championships and one World Series Championship. On an individual level Mantilla’s best seasons were with the Boston Red Sox where he had a 30 home run season as a second baseman in 1964 and was selected an All-Star game starter in 1965.
While his accomplishments on the field were many, Mantilla’s legacy is rooted in his tireless dedication to youth baseball in Milwaukee and Isabela, Puerto Rico. Following his retirement from playing in 1968, he channeled his passion for the game into mentoring and developing young athletes. His passion was shared by a number of Latino leaders in Milwaukee, and together they created the Félix Mantilla Little League in 1972, working to provide children in the community with the opportunity to play baseball and learn important life lessons through the sport.
The Félix Mantilla Little League became a cornerstone of Milwaukee's youth baseball scene, offering coaching, training, and academic development initiatives to underprivileged children. Mantilla dedicated countless hours to the league helping young players refine their skills while teaching them the values of teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and academic focus. His commitment to developing young talent was not about creating future Major League stars, but about providing a safe and supportive space for children to grow and excel in baseball and academics. In 2017 Cardinal Stritch University recognized Felix’s commitment to youth baseball and academics by awarding him an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
In addition to his work in Milwaukee, Mantilla remained deeply connected to Puerto Rico, where he continued to influence the development of baseball at the grassroots level. His efforts to improve youth baseball in Puerto Rico were recognized throughout the island, as he served as both a coach and a mentor to young players who admired his career and his dedication to the sport.
Félix Mantilla’s legacy lives on in the many players whose lives were changed by his mentorship, and by the Félix Mantilla Little League and the academic programs he supported, which continue to serve as a resource for children passionate about baseball and academics.
Félix was preceded in death by his parents Juan and Natividad, his sister Judith, his sons José and Roberto. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kay, his son Félix, his sister Felita, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his niece and nephew and a vast community of family and friends who were touched by his friendly easy going nature, his generosity of spirit and his love for Milwaukee and Puerto Rico. His contributions to baseball, particularly through the Felix Mantilla Little League, will be remembered as a lasting testament to his devotion to the sport and to the young people he inspired.
Félix Mantilla’s legacy as a player, mentor, and champion of youth baseball will continue to inspire future generations. May he rest in peace, knowing his influence has made a difference in countless lives.
A celebration of Felix’s life will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025 from 11 am to 1 pm at Journey House, 2110 W. Scott St., Milwaukee, WI 53204. 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. Checks may be sent to Journey House, ATTN: Felix Mantilla Little League, P.O. Box 340695, Milwaukee, WI 53234.
Born on July 29, 1934, in Isabela, Puerto Rico to Juan Mantilla Vendrell and Natividad Lamela de Mantilla, Mantilla’s early years in baseball were shaped by his time in the Puerto Rican Winter League, where he played professionally for the Caguas Criollos and the San Juan Senadores. He helped lead the Caguas team to multiple Puerto Rican League championships and one Caribbean League World Series Championship. Team success for Mantilla in Puerto Rico also included a World Amateur Baseball Championship in 1951. On an individual level, Mantilla played on multiple All Star teams, for over 50 years he held the record for most home runs in a single game with 3 and was inducted into the Puerto Rico Sports Hall of Fame, the Caguas Criollos Hall of Fame, and the Sports Hall of Fame in his hometown of Isabela. Moreover, his hometown erected a baseball stadium that is named in his honor.
Puerto Rican baseball definitely laid the foundation for a Major League Baseball career that spanned 11 seasons, including stints with the Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. A versatile infielder and outfielder, Mantilla was known for his steady bat, surprising power, exceptional quickness, great defense, and leadership. While in Milwaukee, Mantilla won two National League Championships and one World Series Championship. On an individual level Mantilla’s best seasons were with the Boston Red Sox where he had a 30 home run season as a second baseman in 1964 and was selected an All-Star game starter in 1965.
While his accomplishments on the field were many, Mantilla’s legacy is rooted in his tireless dedication to youth baseball in Milwaukee and Isabela, Puerto Rico. Following his retirement from playing in 1968, he channeled his passion for the game into mentoring and developing young athletes. His passion was shared by a number of Latino leaders in Milwaukee, and together they created the Félix Mantilla Little League in 1972, working to provide children in the community with the opportunity to play baseball and learn important life lessons through the sport.
The Félix Mantilla Little League became a cornerstone of Milwaukee's youth baseball scene, offering coaching, training, and academic development initiatives to underprivileged children. Mantilla dedicated countless hours to the league helping young players refine their skills while teaching them the values of teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and academic focus. His commitment to developing young talent was not about creating future Major League stars, but about providing a safe and supportive space for children to grow and excel in baseball and academics. In 2017 Cardinal Stritch University recognized Felix’s commitment to youth baseball and academics by awarding him an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
In addition to his work in Milwaukee, Mantilla remained deeply connected to Puerto Rico, where he continued to influence the development of baseball at the grassroots level. His efforts to improve youth baseball in Puerto Rico were recognized throughout the island, as he served as both a coach and a mentor to young players who admired his career and his dedication to the sport.
Félix Mantilla’s legacy lives on in the many players whose lives were changed by his mentorship, and by the Félix Mantilla Little League and the academic programs he supported, which continue to serve as a resource for children passionate about baseball and academics.
Félix was preceded in death by his parents Juan and Natividad, his sister Judith, his sons José and Roberto. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kay, his son Félix, his sister Felita, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his niece and nephew and a vast community of family and friends who were touched by his friendly easy going nature, his generosity of spirit and his love for Milwaukee and Puerto Rico. His contributions to baseball, particularly through the Felix Mantilla Little League, will be remembered as a lasting testament to his devotion to the sport and to the young people he inspired.
Félix Mantilla’s legacy as a player, mentor, and champion of youth baseball will continue to inspire future generations. May he rest in peace, knowing his influence has made a difference in countless lives.
A celebration of Felix’s life will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025 from 11 am to 1 pm at Journey House, 2110 W. Scott St., Milwaukee, WI 53204. 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. Checks may be sent to Journey House, ATTN: Felix Mantilla Little League, P.O. Box 340695, Milwaukee, WI 53234.