Luis A. Marquez
Encyclopedia
Luis Ángel "Canena" Márquez Sánchez (October 28, 1925-March 1, 1988, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
) was a professional baseball
player. He was the third Puerto Rican
to play in Major League Baseball
(after Hiram Bithorn
and Luis Olmo). Márquez played in a total of 68 games in the major leagues, split in two seasons between the Boston Braves
, the Chicago Cubs
and the Pittsburgh Pirates
. His final game was on July 11, 1954.
He played in the Negro Leagues with the New York Black Yankees
, Baltimore Elite Giants
and Homestead Grays
. In 1949 he became the first black player to sign with the New York Yankees. A big star in Puerto Rico, he is considered among his peers the most complete player in the league history. He is the all-time leader in hits (1,206), runs (768) and doubles (235).
Márquez was involved in baseball throughout his life as player, coach, trainer, and Little League
coach. The municipal baseball stadium in Aguadilla is named for him.
Márquez was murdered in Puerto Rico, as he was shot during a domestic dispute.
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Aguadilla , founded in 1775 by Luis de Córdova, is a city located in the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, north of Aguada, and Moca and west of Isabela. Aguadilla is spread over 15 wards and Aguadilla Pueblo...
) was a professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player. He was the third Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
to play in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(after Hiram Bithorn
Hiram Bithorn
Hiram Gabriel Bithorn was a Puerto Rican right-handed pitcher who became the first baseball player from Puerto Rico to play Major League Baseball...
and Luis Olmo). Márquez played in a total of 68 games in the major leagues, split in two seasons between the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. His final game was on July 11, 1954.
He played in the Negro Leagues with the New York Black Yankees
New York Black Yankees
The New York Black Yankees was a professional baseball team based in New York City, Paterson, NJ, and Rochester, NY which played in the Negro National League from 1936 to 1948. The Black Yankees played in Paterson, New Jersey from 1933-1937 and then from 1939-1945. The 1938 season saw the Black...
, Baltimore Elite Giants
Baltimore Elite Giants
The Baltimore Elite Giants were a professional baseball team that played in the Negro leagues from to . The team was established by Thomas T. Wilson, in Nashville, Tennessee as the semi-pro Nashville Standard Giants on March 26, 1920. The team was renamed the Elite Giants in , and would move to...
and Homestead Grays
Homestead Grays
The Homestead Grays were a professional baseball team that played in the Negro leagues in the United States. The team was formed in 1912 by Cumberland Posey, and would remain in continuous operation for 38 seasons. The team was based in Homestead, Pennsylvania, adjacent to Pittsburgh.-Franchise...
. In 1949 he became the first black player to sign with the New York Yankees. A big star in Puerto Rico, he is considered among his peers the most complete player in the league history. He is the all-time leader in hits (1,206), runs (768) and doubles (235).
Márquez was involved in baseball throughout his life as player, coach, trainer, and Little League
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
coach. The municipal baseball stadium in Aguadilla is named for him.
Márquez was murdered in Puerto Rico, as he was shot during a domestic dispute.