Late Mexican professional baseball player Felipe Montemayor died on February 4, 2025, three days before his 97th birthday.
His death has left fans and admirers heartbroken, as he was a beloved figure in baseball and one of the oldest surviving players in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.
Felipe Montemayor was born on February 7, 1928, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Known by his nickname “Clipper,” he played as a left-handed outfielder and made notable contributions to baseball over his long career, lasting over two decades.
Montemayor began his professional career in Mexico before going to the United States.
In 1949, he was a key performer in the Mexican leagues.
By 1953, he made history by becoming the sixth Mexican player to compete in MLB when he debuted with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 14.
Montemayor played for the Pirates during two seasons, appearing in 64 games between 1953 and 1955.
His MLB experience was notable, though short. He played for the Pirates twice, mostly in center and left field.
His batting average was .173, with 26 hits consisting of five doubles and three triples during his major career.
His only two career home runs came in a doubleheader versus the St. Louis Cardinals on May 1, 1955, when he homered in both games with one man on base.
Other than his MLB years, Montemayor also performed in the Cuban League with Cienfuegos in the 1952-53 season, leading the league in triples and performing amazing feats such as having two grand-slam homers in consecutive games.
After retiring from professional baseball as a player in 1955, Montemayor remained involved in the sport as a sports columnist for the El Norte newspaper, where he wrote a column called “3 and 2.”
Montemayor’s contributions to baseball were honored when he was inducted into the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.
¡Hasta pronto, leyenda! 🕊️
— Sultanes de Monterrey (@SultanesOficial) February 4, 2025
La madrugada de este martes 4 de febrero, Felipe "Clipper" Montemayor falleció a los 96 años, debido a causas naturales. Así lo informó la familia del exjugador.
Deja un legado imborrable como pelotero:
📰➡️ https://t.co/9cYfn0PzJA pic.twitter.com/Ysb9LZCMXD
Montemayor’s legacy does not just live on in his statistics but also through his influence on future generations of players from Mexico.
He is remembered fondly by fans and fellow players alike for his contributions to the game.
Montemayor’s rise from Monterrey to MLB displays his devotion and talent in baseball.
As tributes pour in from fans and former teammates, it is clear that Montemayor’s impact on the sport will not be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Felipe Montemayor; you will be missed by many.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Felipe Montemayor was listed as 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and 185 pounds (84 kg).
- Felipe’s full name is Felipe Angel Montemayor.
- He was named Rookie of the Year Award in 1948.