Papito Vargas

Rafael Antonio Vargas H.

• Born October 30, 1919 in Santo Domingo D.R.

Biographical Information

Papito Vargas was the shortstop for the Dominican national team for most of the 1940s. He formed a double-play combo with Aquiles Martínez. He was the nephew of Negro League star Tetelo Vargas.

He hit .370/.414/.407 in the 1941 Amateur World Series, finishing 10th in average and leading the Dominicans. He won Silver with the Dominicans in the 1942 Amateur World Series and Bronze with them in the 1943 Amateur World Series. He also played in the 1944 Amateur World Series. He won Silver with them in the 1946 Central American and Caribbean Games. The Dominican Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 1987.