Luis Báez (Dominican Republic)

Luis Arturo Báez Rivera
(Grillo C)

• Bats Left, Throws Left

• Born June 14, 1922 in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional D.R.
• Died November 7, 2012 in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional D.R.

Biographical Information

Luis Báez was an early Dominican star, like his brothers Pedro Báez and Andrés Julio Báez. He was on the Dominican national teams that won Silver in the 1942 Amateur World Series and Bronze in the 1943 Amateur World Series; he led the latter event with 7 steals and 2 triples. He also played in the 1944 Amateur World Series.

When the Venezuelan League formed in 1946, he played in that country, hitting .290/?/.355 for the Navegantes del Magallanes. In 1949-1950, he batted .233 and slugged .270 for the Patriotas de Venezuela. He led the league with 10 steals, two ahead of Ray Neil and Pedro Rodriguez. When the Dominican League started in 1951, he played for the Tigres del Licey and was named Player of the Year.

He also played in Panama, Puerto Rico and Mexico. In 1984, he made the Dominican Sports Hall of fame. He outlived his brother Pedro by 64 years, Pedro having died in an airplane crash that killed several Dominican stars.