Julio Navarro – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Julio Navarro wrapped up his major league career in 1970, finishing an eight-year run as a relief pitcher for three different teams. Born in Puerto Rico, folks called him “Whiplash” because of his wild sidearm delivery. He played for the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, and Atlanta Braves during his time in the big leagues.

Navarro’s journey to the majors wasn’t exactly straightforward. He was born in Vieques, Puerto Rico, but learned the game on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands after his family moved there when he was a kid.

He spent nearly two decades grinding through the minor leagues before finally debuting with the Angels at age 28 in September 1962.

Even though his time in the majors was short, Navarro’s story highlights some important moments in baseball history. He faced the same hurdles as many Latino players in the 1960s, witnessed the rise of Caribbean baseball talent, and stuck with the game for years and years, chasing the dream across different leagues.

Early Life and Background

Julio Navarro entered the world on January 9, 1934, in Vieques, Puerto Rico. He was the second child out of eight in a working-class family.

His dad worked in the sugar cane fields, and the family moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands while Julio was still young.

Family Heritage

Julio Navarro Ventura’s parents, Manuel Navarro and Justina Ventura, raised eight kids—five boys and three girls—in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Manuel led a crew of cane cutters, steady work since sugar cane really dominated the island’s economy. Two plantation owners, the Benítez family and Eastern Sugar Associates, basically ran Vieques back then.

Everything changed in 1941 when the U.S. Navy started taking over land on Vieques. The Navy tore up the sugar cane fields and forced thousands of people to leave. Navarro remembered, “When the sugar cane was torn out, my father went looking for a better job,” during an interview in 2007.

Like many viequenses, the Navarro family decided to leave. They boarded a boat for St. Croix, hoping Manuel could find better work.

Youth and Education

Once on St. Croix, the family settled in Frederiksted. Young Julio went to St. Patrick’s Catholic School, which Belgian sisters ran. He later described it as “a pretty good education for free.”

People called him “Juju” as a kid. He grew up alongside other future big leaguers and became close with Joe Christopher and Elmo Plaskett.

All three boys eventually made it to the major leagues. That’s pretty wild for a place as small as St. Croix. The Virgin Islands quietly turned out some serious baseball talent back then.

Navarro’s time at St. Patrick’s gave him strong English skills, which helped later. He often spoke for other Latino players in minor league clubs.

Introduction to Baseball

Navarro first played organized sports through softball, not baseball. “I used to play a lot of softball from ages 9-10, then when I got up around 14, I played baseball,” he said.

He played baseball at St. Patrick’s with Joe Christopher and Elmo Plaskett. The three future major leaguers also played together on a local team called the Annaly Athletics.

The Annaly Athletics played in St. Croix’s four-team amateur league. Two teams came from Christiansted, two from Frederiksted.

In 1954, the best Athletics joined some St. Thomas players to create the Christiansted Commandos all-star team.

That team traveled to Wichita, Kansas, for the National Baseball Congress World Series. Navarro started one of their two games. That trip exposed him to tougher competition and gave him connections that would help his pro career.

Professional Career Overview

Julio Navarro built a solid eight-year pro career as a relief pitcher from 1962 to 1970. He started with the Los Angeles Angels and finished with the Atlanta Braves, moving through three organizations and becoming a steady bullpen option during a time of change in baseball.

Major League Debut

Navarro debuted in the majors on September 3, 1962, with the Los Angeles Angels. It was a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium against the New York Yankees, and the Angels had just picked him up from the San Francisco Giants organization the day before.

His first outing was pretty memorable. Navarro threw three innings in relief and helped the Angels win 6-5. He gave up two earned runs and struck out one, including getting future Hall of Famer Roger Maris.

The next day, things got even better. Navarro picked up his first big league win with 1.1 scoreless innings against the Yankees. He got Bobby Richardson to finish the eighth, watched the Angels score in the ninth, then closed it out by retiring Maris, Elston Howard, and Johnny Blanchard.

He pitched in seven more games that September, ending his rookie month with a 4.70 ERA. That strong start set him up for a steady career as a relief specialist.

Retirement in 1970

After spending 1967 to 1969 in the minors, Navarro made it back to the big leagues in 1970 with the Atlanta Braves. That season ended up being his last as a pro.

He pitched in 17 games for Atlanta, serving as a veteran presence in the bullpen. His 1970 season was a short but meaningful return after four years away.

Navarro, now 36, finished up on September 9, 1970, wearing a Braves uniform. His last major league game came eight years after his debut with the Angels.

He wrapped up his career with a 7-9 record in 130 games, 17 saves, and a 3.65 ERA. Over 212.1 innings, he struck out 151 hitters, with a 6.40 K/9 rate that beat the league average for his era.

Legacy with the Los Angeles Angels

Navarro’s best years came with the Los Angeles Angels from 1962 to 1964. The team gave him his top season in 1963, when he became a dependable closer alongside 40-year-old Art Fowler.

In 1963, Navarro put up some impressive numbers. He finished in the American League’s top ten for games pitched (57), saves (12), and games finished (30). That year, he went 4-5 with a career-best 2.89 ERA.

The Angels traded him to the Detroit Tigers on April 28, 1964, after he’d already pitched five games with a 1.93 ERA. They sent him to Detroit for outfielder/pitcher Willie Smith.

Navarro’s nickname “Whiplash” really stuck during his Angels days. He also showed off his defensive chops, handling 49 of 50 total chances for a .980 fielding percentage over his career.

Career Achievements and Statistics

Julio Navarro finished with a 7-9 record and a 3.65 ERA over six major league seasons. His best stretch came with the Los Angeles Angels, where he really found his groove as a reliable relief pitcher and racked up 13 saves in 1963.

Notable Games and Seasons

Navarro’s breakout year was 1963 with the Angels. He pitched in 57 games, all out of the bullpen, and posted a strong 2.89 ERA with 12 saves. That season made him a key bullpen piece for the team.

He threw 90.1 innings and struck out 53 batters. Navarro showed he could handle the closer role and stay durable. He kept a 1.185 WHIP that year, which showed solid control.

In 1964, Navarro split time between the Angels and the Tigers. He kept up his steady performance for both teams and started a three-year stint with Detroit.

Navarro’s last season in 1970 with the Braves was short but notable. At 36, he posted a 4.10 ERA in 17 games. His strikeout rate jumped too—he fanned 21 in just 26.1 innings.

Pitching Style and Skills

People called Navarro “Whiplash” for his unique pitching motion. He stood 6 feet tall and weighed 175 pounds. His delivery was all quick arm action, which threw hitters off.

He finished his career with a 2.16 strikeout-to-walk ratio, showing decent command. Navarro struck out 151 hitters in 212.1 innings. He averaged 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings, which was solid for a reliever in his time.

Navarro shined in short relief roles. He pitched in 130 games, starting just once. With 66 games finished, he was clearly a late-inning guy.

His control peaked in his last season. He walked just one batter in 26.1 innings for Atlanta, which gave him an amazing 21.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

ERA and WHIP Highlights

Navarro’s career 3.65 ERA put him among effective relievers of the 1960s. In 1963, he posted his best single-season ERA at 2.89 with the Angels. That year cemented his reputation as a dependable bullpen arm.

His career WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was 1.229, showing he usually kept runners off base. In 1970, he posted his best WHIP at 0.949 with Atlanta, which showed off his improved command late in his career.

Career ERA by Team:

• Los Angeles Angels: 3.05 ERA (115 games)
• Detroit Tigers: 4.44 ERA (42 games)
• Atlanta Braves: 4.10 ERA (17 games)

Navarro allowed 1.4 home runs per nine innings, which was pretty reasonable for his era. He gave up 32 homers in 212.1 innings. His knack for limiting big hits helped him stay effective as a reliever.

Teams Played For

Julio Navarro played for three MLB teams during his six-season career from 1962 to 1970. He spent most of his time with the Los Angeles Angels, then moved to the Detroit Tigers, and wrapped up with the Atlanta Braves.

Los Angeles Angels

Navarro started his major league career with the Los Angeles Angels in 1962. The Angels bought his contract from the Tacoma Giants on September 2, 1962, for $30,000.

He made his MLB debut the very next day, September 3, 1962, in a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. Navarro had never even set foot in a big league park before, promising himself he’d only go in as a player.

His best year was 1963. Navarro pitched in 57 games, all in relief, finishing 4-5 with a 2.89 ERA. He led the Angels with 12 saves and teamed up with veteran Art Fowler to anchor the bullpen.

Navarro mixed a sinker, slider, screwball, and fastball. He threw mostly sidearm but would go overhand to mess with hitters. The “Whiplash” nickname came from that wild sidearm motion.

The Angels traded him to Detroit on April 28, 1964, for outfielder-pitcher Willie Smith.

Detroit Tigers

Navarro spent three seasons with the Detroit Tigers from 1964 to 1966. Things didn’t start smoothly for him after the trade from Los Angeles.

In 1964, he struggled through his first 10 games, going 0-1 with a 10.22 ERA. The Tigers sent him down to Triple-A Syracuse at the end of May.

He came back in early August and pitched better, finishing the year with a 2-1 record and a 3.95 ERA.

In 1965, Navarro pitched in 15 games for Detroit. He finished with an 0-2 record and a 4.20 ERA.

He made his only major league start on September 7, 1965.

His last outing with the Tigers really didn’t go well. On April 17, 1966, he couldn’t retire a single batter, hit one, and gave up both a grand slam and a solo home run.

The Tigers traded him to Boston on June 21, 1966, in a deal that included Earl Wilson and Joe Christopher.

Atlanta Braves

Navarro wrapped up his major league career with the Atlanta Braves in 1970. He made it back to the majors after several years in the minors following his exit from Detroit.

From 1966 to 1970, Navarro pitched in the International League with Toronto and Richmond. During that stretch, he posted a 45-33 record with a 3.44 ERA across 116 games.

Boston sent him to Atlanta in December 1966, trading him and pitcher Ed Rakow for Chris Cannizzaro and John Herrnstein.

Navarro’s 1970 season with the Braves closed out his time in the big leagues. He was actually 36 years old then, though the official records said 34 because he’d changed his birth year earlier on.

After MLB, Navarro kept playing in the Mexican League until 1974.

Life After Baseball

Julio Navarro moved from playing into coaching, scouting, and focusing on family. He kept close ties to Puerto Rican baseball and built a legacy that reached into the next generation with his son Jaime’s own major league success.

Personal Life and Family

Navarro’s biggest accomplishment after his playing days probably came through his son Jaime, who followed him into the majors as a pitcher. Jaime pitched in the big leagues from 1989 to 2000, making history with his dad.

Julio and Jaime Navarro became the first father and son to both officially record a save in the majors. That unusual distinction really underlined the family’s baseball story and Julio’s impact on Jaime’s career.

The Navarro family stayed close to their Caribbean roots throughout Julio’s later years. He had a strong friendship with José Morales, another major leaguer from St. Croix, who even became Jaime’s godfather.

Growing up in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico shaped Julio’s identity long after he stopped playing. He never lost touch with the communities that gave him his start.

Community Involvement

Navarro gave back to Puerto Rican baseball well beyond his playing days by coaching and developing young talent. He coached the Puerto Rican national team when they captured the Bronze Medal in the 1979 Pan American Games.

That medal win meant a lot for Puerto Rican baseball in the late ’70s.

From 1980 to 1985, Navarro worked as a scout for the Chicago Cubs. He used that role to spot and recruit new players for the majors.

In 1988, he joined the Atlanta Braves organization again, this time as a coach in their minor league system. It felt a bit like coming full circle, considering he finished his major league career with the Braves back in 1970.

Final Years and Passing

People recognized Navarro for his contributions to Caribbean baseball during his later years. He played 22 winters in Puerto Rico, tying for second in league history with Juan Beníquez, Juan Pizarro, and Héctor Valle.

His Puerto Rican Winter League numbers were impressive: 98 wins, 84 losses, and a 2.94 ERA over 1,623 innings in 368 games.

Julio Navarro died on January 24, 2018, at age 84. His passing really did mark the end of an era for Caribbean baseball, especially for players from Vieques and the Virgin Islands.

Navarro stood out as the only player from Vieques to ever make it to the majors. His background and path to professional baseball made him a trailblazer in Caribbean baseball history.

Resting Place and Memorial Information

Julio Navarro died on January 24, 2018, at age 82 in Miami, Florida, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Fans and family can find his memorial on Find a Grave, where they can pay tribute to the former relief pitcher.

Cemetery Details

Find a Grave documents Julio Navarro’s memorial, providing a lasting record of his life and career. The page lists his birth date as January 9, 1934, and his death date as January 24, 2018.

The memorial serves as a digital resting place, letting visitors leave flowers and share memories. It even offers GPS coordinates to pinpoint his gravesite within the cemetery.

Family members can link to his memorial page, connecting relatives. The page also allows photo uploads and includes space for biographical details about his baseball career.

Legacy in Puerto Rico

Julio Navarro stands out as one of Puerto Rico’s most celebrated pitchers, and honestly, his influence reaches way past his own playing days.

He coached the Puerto Rican national team, guiding them to a Bronze Medal at the 1979 Pan American Games.

His legacy didn’t stop with him. His son, Jaime Navarro, made it to Major League Baseball too.

Together, they became the first father-son duo to both officially record a save in the majors. That’s a pretty rare piece of baseball history.

Navarro played 22 seasons in Puerto Rican baseball, and people still talk about him as a local baseball icon.

He shaped both professional baseball and the development of the sport in Puerto Rico, earning plenty of respect along the way.