Luis Márquez

Note: This page discusses 1950s outfielder Luis Marquez. For the scout of the same name, click here.

Luis Angel Márquez Sanchez
(Canena, El Fogón Boricua)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10½", Weight 174 lb.

• Debut 1946
• National League Debut April 18, 1951
• Final Game July 11, 1954
• Born October 28, 1925 in Aguadilla, P.R.
• Died March 1, 1988 in Aguadilla, P.R.

BR page

Biographical Information

Luis "Canena" Márquez became the third Puerto Rican to play in the Major Leagues (after Hiram Bithorn and Luis Olmo). Márquez played in a total of 68 games in the National League, split in two seasons between the Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Before that, he had played three seasons in the second Negro National League, being an All-Star in both 1947 and 1948, and being a member of the Homestead Grays when they won the 1948 Negro World Series.

Márquez died in his hometown of Aguadilla in 1988, shot to death by his son-in-law, who is still a fugitive. A local baseball stadium was named in Márquez's honor.

Marquez was on the Puerto Rican national team in the 1944 Amateur World Series. He was the first black player signed by the Yankees (in 1949). However, the contract was voided by the commissioner and Marquez ended up property of the Cleveland Indians. In 1950 he was with Portland, hitting .311 and leading the PCL with 38 stolen bases. He was drafted by the Boston Braves after the 1950 season and made his major league debut with them in 1951.

Marquez played Puerto Rico professional baseball starting in 1944, and continued to play there in winters while he played professionally in the U.S. He joined the Negro Leagues in the U.S. in 1946, playing with the Homestead Grays from 1946 to 1948. After signing with organized baseball, he was sent first to the Newark Bears before coming to the Portland Beavers. Later, after his debut in the majors, he played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toledo Mud Hens, Dallas Rangers, Portland again, and in Mexico for the Poza Rica Petroleros. He then coached in Puerto Rico, and after baseball was a sports and recreation instructor. Source: Aguadilla He also scouted for the Montreal Expos in 1979-1980.

Notable Achievements

• 2-time NNL All-Star (1946 & 1947)
• NNL Stolen Bases Leader (1948)
• Won one Negro World Series with the Homestead Grays in 1948

Further Reading

• Alan Cohen: "Luis Marquez" in "The Path to the Cubs and White Sox from the Negro Leagues: 17 Barrier Breakers", The National Pastime, SABR, 51, 2023, pp. 96-97.

Related Sites

• Luis Marquez at the SABR Bio Project