Papi Figueroa

William Figueroa

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 150 lb.

• Born October 12, 1929 in San Juan Puerto Rico
• Died November 23, 2015

BR register page

Biographical Information

Papi Figueroa played for the Puerto Rican national team and in the minors.

Figueroa was the shortstop on the historic Puerto Rican team that won the 1951 Amateur World Series, Puerto Rico's lone world title in baseball (through 2023). In the 1952 Amateur World Series, he led all players with three triples and Puerto Rico won Bronze.

Signed by Pedrín Zorrilla for the Cangrejeros de Santurce, he debuted in the 1952-1953 Puerto Rican League. He won Rookie of the Year honors. He went 2 for 5 with a triple and a run in the 1953 Caribbean Series, when Bus Clarkson started at short for Santurce as they won the title. He signed with the Milwaukee Braves. In 1953, he hit .246/.357/.307 with 89 walks and 90 runs in 140 games for the Modesto Reds. He fielded .913 at short. While his 71 errors led California League shortstops, he was among the top half of the league in fielding percentage!

Papi improved to .285/.416/.376 and a .935 fielding with the 1954 Eau Claire Braves. He scored 103 runs and drew 114 walks in 133 contests. Only Bob Montag had more walks by a Braves farmhand that year and Papi tied Ted Sepkowski for 8th in the system in runs. He tied Bernard Prais for 9th in the Northern League in runs and was second in walks, four behind Jack Wigley. He led the league's shortstops in assists (434) and double plays (83). He was 2 for 7 when Santurce won the 1955 Caribbean Series; Don Zimmer started at short for them.

He wrapped up his minor league career in 1955, hitting .251/.400/.332 with 115 walks and 93 runs in 127 games for the Quebec Braves. He was 4th in the Milwaukee chain in walks (between Jack Wilkinson and Nelson Urrutia). In the Provincial League, he was second to Bill Causion in runs and second to Francis Glamp in walks. He fielded .940. He had batted .261/.391/.338 with 318 walks and 286 runs in 400 minor league games.

His Puerto Rican League career continued until 1958-1959, when an arm injury ended his playing time. He was inducted into the Santurce Sports Hall of Fame.