Nap Reyes – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Napoleón “Nap” Reyes made his mark as one of the few Cuban players to play in Major League Baseball during the 1940s. Born in Santiago de Cuba in 1919, he broke into the majors with the New York Giants on May 19, 1943, at just 23 years old.

Reyes wrapped up his Major League career in 1950 after seven seasons, putting up a .284 batting average, 264 hits, and 13 home runs in 279 games.

What really makes Reyes’ story interesting? His career overlapped with one of baseball’s most controversial eras.

During his MLB run, he left for the Mexican League in 1946, joining other major leaguers and getting blacklisted from organized baseball for a while. That move highlighted the tough choices players faced, especially those from Latin America who wanted better pay and fair treatment.

Reyes went from being a Cuban amateur standout to a major league infielder, reflecting the bigger story of international players breaking into American baseball. He played both first and third base, and his experience across several leagues shaped a career that stretched far past his last MLB game.

Let’s look at how this Cuban native navigated baseball in the 1940s and 1950s, leaving a legacy that reached from Havana to the Polo Grounds.

Early Life and Background

Napoleón Aguilera Reyes was born in Santiago de Cuba on November 24, 1919. Growing up in Cuba’s second-largest city, he found himself surrounded by a culture where baseball was already a big deal.

Birth and Family Origins

Napoleón Aguilera Reyes came into the world on November 24, 1919, in Santiago de Cuba. His full name reflected his Cuban roots, though he’d later be known simply as “Nap” Reyes in the baseball world.

The Reyes family lived in Santiago during a time when baseball’s popularity in Cuba was booming. Because he held Cuban citizenship, he didn’t have to serve in the U.S. military during World War II.

That meant he could keep playing pro baseball while many American players went off to war. There’s not much detail out there about his family or what they did for a living.

Growing Up in Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba shaped Reyes’ childhood and his early baseball years. The city, down in southeastern Cuba, had a strong baseball tradition that inspired plenty of young athletes.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Cuban baseball was really thriving. Reyes and other kids could develop their skills in local leagues and tournaments.

Physical Development:

• Height: 6 feet 1 inch
• Weight: 205 pounds
• Batting: Right-handed
• Throwing: Right-handed

The tropical weather meant baseball could happen year-round. That gave Cuban players like Reyes an edge in developing their skills compared to players from chillier places.

Journey to Professional Baseball

Reyes started his path to Major League Baseball by excelling in Cuban baseball leagues. Scouts noticed his talent at both third and first base.

He represented Cuba in international tournaments, winning medals at the Baseball World Cup in 1940 and 1941 in Havana. Those events gave him a stage to show off his abilities against top international players.

He shined defensively at both positions. During his MLB career, he posted a .960 fielding percentage at third and .991 at first.

The New York Giants saw his potential and signed him. At 23, Reyes left Cuban baseball behind and joined the majors in 1943.

Professional Baseball Career

Napoleón Aguilera Reyes spent his entire MLB career with the New York Giants from 1943 to 1950. He built a reputation as a reliable infielder through the 1940s.

His career lasted seven seasons, with most of his playing time coming in the mid-1940s. After World War II, his role changed a lot.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Reyes made his big league debut on May 19, 1943, facing the Cincinnati Reds at the Polo Grounds. The Cuban infielder stood 6’1″ and weighed 205 pounds.

His rookie season was short but showed promise. He played in 40 games for the Giants in 1943.

He adapted quickly to the major leagues. He batted and threw right-handed, mostly playing third and first base.

New York Giants Tenure

Reyes became a regular for the Giants in 1944 and 1945. Those years were his peak in terms of playing time and contributions.

When World War II ended, his chances to play dropped off. After 1945, he appeared in just one more game before his final season.

His last MLB appearance happened on April 27, 1950. He took the field at first base and went 0-for-1 in his last at-bat.

Career Statistics:

• Games played: 279
• Hits: 264
• Home runs: 13
• RBIs: 110
• Batting average: .284

Major Career Highlights

In 1945, Reyes tied for the National League lead in hit by pitch with eight. He shared that odd distinction with his teammate and manager Mel Ott and Chicago Cubs All-Star Andy Pafko.

He stood out on defense at both positions. With a .960 fielding percentage at third and .991 at first, he was rock solid.

Reyes scored 90 runs in his career and put up solid offensive numbers. His .284 lifetime average proved he could hit consistently in the majors.

Later, the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2015, recognizing his impact in the region.

1943-1945 Playing Years

Nap Reyes quickly became a dependable infielder for the New York Giants in his first three MLB seasons, mainly at third and first base. His best year came in 1944, when he batted .289 with 8 homers and 53 RBIs over 116 games.

Performance During World War II

Reyes broke into the majors during World War II, when many established players were off in the military. That opened doors for players like the Cuban-born infielder to show what they could do.

In 1943, his rookie year, he played 40 games and hit .256 with 32 hits. At 23, he mostly played first base but got some time at third.

The 1944 season was his breakout. He became a regular starter and had his best offensive year. His .289 average put him among the team’s top hitters.

He kept up steady production in 1945, playing 122 games and hitting .288 with 124 hits. He shifted mainly to third base that year. His 162 total bases showed he could do more than just get singles.

Notable Moments

Reyes helped stabilize the Giants’ infield in 1944. His flexibility let manager Mel Ott move him around as needed.

He stood out as one of the few Latino players in the National League during the 1940s. That presence helped open doors for the next wave of international players.

On defense, he handled 1,488 total chances in his first three seasons with a .981 fielding percentage. That’s not bad at all.

He also delivered in clutch moments. His 8 home runs in 1944 gave the Giants some much-needed power during the war years.

Records and Statistics

Reyes put up solid numbers in his first three years with New York. By 1945, he’d racked up 264 hits, 90 runs, and 13 home runs.

His best season was 1944, when he set career highs in several categories:

• Games played: 116
• Hits: 108
• Home runs: 8
• RBIs: 53
• Batting average: .289

He kept his batting average steady across those seasons, hitting .256, .289, and .288. That kind of consistency is pretty rare.

On defense, Reyes played 107 games at first and 153 at third during this stretch. He really could do it all in the infield.

Final MLB Appearance and 1950 Season

After spending four years in the Mexican leagues, Nap Reyes made a short-lived return to Major League Baseball in 1950 with the New York Giants. His comeback lasted just one game before his professional career ended.

Return to MLB in 1950

Reyes came back to the Giants in 1950 at age 30, after being away from MLB since 1945. He’d left to play in Mexico’s pro league, joining other players looking for better opportunities.

By 1950, MLB had started letting players back in after lifting the Mexican league suspensions. Reyes had been a steady contributor for the Giants before, batting .284 over three seasons.

The Giants gave him another shot, but the roster looked very different by then. At 30, Reyes had to prove he could still hang with the big leaguers after so much time away.

Game-by-Game 1950 Summary

Reyes played just one game in 1950, on April 27 against the Boston Braves. He took the field at first base and had one at-bat, but didn’t get a hit.

That quick appearance marked the end of his major league career. He went 0-for-1 in his last plate appearance, finishing with a .000 average for the season.

His comeback lasted only a day, making it one of the briefest in baseball history. In that game, he played first base for 2.1 innings and made one error on three chances.

That final game brought his MLB totals to 279 games, all with the New York Giants.

Positions Played and Playing Style

Nap Reyes earned a reputation as a versatile infielder who could handle several spots with steady defense. His hitting peaked in the middle of his career, but he never really became a big power threat.

Roles on the Field

Reyes mostly played third and first base for the Giants. He logged 153 games at third over three seasons, making it his main position.

His flexibility gave the Giants options. In 1944, he split time between first base (63 games) and third (37). He even played left field in three games.

The Giants used him as their regular third baseman in 1945, starting him in 113 of his 115 games at the spot. That was his most consistent role in the majors.

Teams valued his ability to play multiple infield positions. He was a handy utility player who could fill in wherever needed.

Defensive Performance

Reyes showed reliable defensive skills at both corners. At third base, he posted a .960 fielding percentage over three years, beating the league average of .943.

His range factor at third was 3.27 per nine innings, right on par with the league’s 3.25. He handled 494 total chances and made 20 errors.

At first base, he was even more dependable. He kept a .991 fielding percentage, matching the league average, and made just nine errors in 107 games.

His best defensive year was 1945 at third base. He made only 14 errors in 997 innings and handled 343 successful chances.

Batting Achievements

Reyes hit .284 over his four-year career. He really stood out in 1944, batting .289 and setting personal bests in most offensive stats.

He managed 13 home runs in 279 games. Most of that power showed up in 1944, when he hit eight of them.

His on-base percentage sat at .326, which suggests he had some discipline at the plate. He drew 44 walks and struck out 62 times, so he made contact often enough.

Over his major league career, Reyes drove in 110 runs. In 1944, he had his highest RBI total with 53 while playing 116 games.

Legacy and Impact After Retirement

Nap Reyes left a lasting mark on baseball that stretched well beyond his playing days. As a Cuban player in MLB during the 1940s, he helped open the door for Latin American athletes in pro baseball.

Contribution to Cuban and MLB Baseball

Reyes built an important bridge between Cuban baseball and the major leagues during a pivotal era. He joined the early wave of Cuban players who established a talent pipeline from Santiago de Cuba to MLB.

He showed the New York Giants from 1943 to 1950 that Cuban players could absolutely compete at the top level. With a .284 batting average and dependable defense at third and first base, Reyes proved he belonged in the majors.

Key MLB Statistics:

• 279 games played
• .284 batting average
• 13 home runs
• 110 RBIs

The Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2015, recognizing his impact on the sport across Latin America. That honor came 20 years after his death, which says a lot about his lasting influence.

Influence on Future Players

Reyes opened doors for later generations of Cuban ballplayers in MLB. His steady play and professional attitude created chances for others from Santiago de Cuba and the Caribbean.

He played during World War II, a time when MLB teams looked more to international talent. That timing let him leave a mark future Cuban players could follow.

Reyes earned respect from teammates and opponents, helping shift opinions about Latin American players in pro baseball. His versatility—playing multiple positions well—became a model for future Caribbean players.

Personal Life and Death

After his MLB days, Nap Reyes stuck with baseball by managing and scouting. He passed away in Miami in 1995 at 75.

Life After Baseball

Reyes moved into managing and scouting once he stopped playing. He managed several teams, including the Morristown Red Sox in 1953, posting a 64-62 record while still getting on the field himself.

He found his greatest managing success in the Cuban Winter League. Reyes led Marianao to back-to-back league titles in 1956-57 and 1957-58. He also guided them to consecutive Caribbean Series championships in 1957 and 1958.

He became the first manager to win two straight Caribbean Series titles. No one else pulled that off for another 60 years.

Reyes scouted for the Cincinnati Reds as well. In 1956, he signed Andrés Ayón to the organization.

He kept managing into the 1970s, working with teams like the Cafeteros de Cordoba and Plataneros de Tabasco in Mexico.

Death and Remembrance

Nap Reyes died on September 15, 1995, in Miami. He was buried at Vista Memorial Gardens in Hialeah, Florida.

People recognized his baseball contributions with several honors. The Federacion de Peloteros Profesionales Cubanos en el Exilio elected him to the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

He received more recognition after his death, getting voted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. That honor celebrated his achievements as both player and manager across different leagues.

His legacy reaches beyond his MLB years. It includes his success in Cuban, Mexican, and Caribbean baseball.

Career Achievements and Recognition

Nap Reyes put together solid career stats with the New York Giants, batting .284 in 279 games. He hit his stride in the mid-1940s, proving himself a reliable infielder with steady offense.

Awards and Honors

Nap Reyes didn’t pick up major individual awards during his MLB career. His four-year run with the Giants from 1943 to 1945 and in 1950 happened before most of the big recognition programs started.

People measured his contributions by his steady play, not by accolades. He played during World War II, when many stars served in the military, so he provided important depth for the Giants.

Reyes didn’t get picked for All-Star Games or postseason honors. He mainly served as a reliable utility player, handling both first and third base.

His most meaningful recognition came from helping integrate Cuban and Latin American talent into Major League Baseball during the 1940s.

Records Held

Nap Reyes doesn’t really hold any big Major League Baseball records. He finished his career with 264 hits, 13 home runs, and 110 RBIs—not exactly eye-popping, but certainly respectable.

Those 13 home runs over four seasons kind of show what the 1940s were like—offense just wasn’t booming back then. Most of his power? Yeah, that came during his best stretch in 1944 and 1945.

Reyes had his standout year in 1944, hitting 8 home runs, which is actually more than half of his career total. That same season, he also played in his highest number of games with 116 appearances.

He carried a .284 career batting average, which put him in the company of solid hitters from his era, but he never really threatened any franchise or league records.