Félix Mantilla Lamela (July 29, 1934 – January 10, 2025) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball utility player, who appeared mostly as an infielder.

In his 11-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Mantilla played for the Milwaukee Braves (1956–61), New York Mets (1962), Boston Red Sox (1963–65), and Houston Astros (1966).

In 1951, Mantilla was on the Puerto Rican national team that won the World Amateur Baseball Championship, defeating Cuba 6–5.

[2][3] Mantilla played professionally in the Puerto Rican Winter League for the Caguas Criollos and the San Juan Senadores.

At that time, Jacksonville was one of the first two integrated baseball teams in the Sally League (along with the Savannah Indians), and one of only a few in the entire Southern United States.

Aaron, manager Ben Geraghty, and some of their white teammates helped Mantilla (who did not speak English and had not known segregation in Puerto Rico) navigate his way in difficult circumstances.

[3][4] In Jacksonville's segregated community, Mantilla, Aaron and Garner lived in the home of a local Afro-Puerto Rican businessman.

[5] Mantilla began the 1956 season with the Sacramento Solons of the Pacific Coast League, but was called up to the Braves in June.

He again played the majority of his games at shortstop, with a career minor league best .957 field percentage, and a .272 batting average.

He ended his minor league career with a .286 batting average, 45 home runs, and a .942 fielding percentage at shortstop.

[1] The Braves were National League champions and defeated the New York Yankees 4 games to 3 in the 1957 World Series.

[1] During the December 1962 Winter Meetings, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Pumpsie Green, Tracy Stallard, and Al Moran.

[1] The Boston Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association selected Mantilla as the Comeback Player of the Year.

[1] That season, he was also named to the American League (AL) All-Star team for the only time in his career, and was 29th in MVP voting.

[1] The Chicago Cubs signed Mantilla as a free agent before the start of the 1967 season;[18] however, during spring training he suffered an Achilles tendon injury that required surgery.

[23] Leading off the inning, he hit a ground ball to third baseman Don Hoak, whose throw to first pulled Rocky Nelson off the bag for an error.

[25][26] Looking upon Mantilla‘s major league career stat line, he posted solid numbers, including a lifetime batting average of .261, with 89 home runs, and 330 RBI.

He also worked to improve youth baseball in Puerto Rico, serving as both a coach and a mentor to young players.