Chico Fernández – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Cuban shortstop Humberto “Chico” Fernández made his mark in Major League Baseball during a time of big changes. He played eight seasons from 1956 to 1963, suiting up for four different teams. Born in Havana on March 2, 1932, Fernández brought a flair to the game that thrilled fans and, honestly, sometimes left managers shaking their heads thanks to his gutsy baserunning and defensive flash.

Fernández wrapped up his MLB career in 1963 after playing his last season with the New York Mets. That capped off a journey that took him from the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers.

His career batting average of .240 doesn’t tell the whole story. People remember him for his jaw-dropping defensive plays and gutsy baserunning, especially those stolen bases that really showed off his style.

On his way to retirement, Fernández picked up both impressive achievements and some unusual challenges. He became one of the few players ever traded twice in a single day during his final season.

His story captures what it was like for a Cuban player making his way through the majors in the late ’50s and early ’60s. Back then, Latin American players were still fighting for their place in pro baseball.

Early Life and Background

Chico Fernández grew up in poverty in Havana, Cuba. His early years were shaped by cramped living conditions and his father’s love for baseball.

He got his start in the game when Brooklyn Dodgers scouts noticed him as a teenager.

Family Heritage and Childhood in Cuba

Humberto Fernández Perez was born on March 2, 1932, in Havana. His family lived in tough conditions, squeezing into one room with his parents and older brother Sergio.

Eight other families shared the same house, and everyone had to use a single bathroom. His dad worked as a bricklayer to keep them afloat, but he also played amateur baseball in his youth.

Baseball became Humberto’s way out. At school, he sharpened his skills as a shortstop, looking up to Negro League star Silvio Garcia.

His father’s background probably nudged him toward the game. With money tight and space even tighter, baseball felt like more than just a game—it was a shot at a better life.

Path From Havana to Professional Baseball

In 1951, when he was 19, Fernández caught the eye of Brooklyn Dodgers scout Andy High. The Dodgers signed him as an amateur free agent, opening the door for him to leave poverty behind.

He started out with the Class C Billings Mustangs in Montana’s Pioneer League. That first season was rough—cold weather, not knowing the language, and missing home.

The Dodgers organization gave him the nickname “Chico,” saying Americans would find it easier than Humberto. That change said a lot about what Latin players faced in American baseball back then.

Fernández later said, “They took away my first name and I was afraid they were going to take away my whole name and I wouldn’t know who the hell I was.”

Professional Debut and Brooklyn Dodgers Years

Chico Fernández joined the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1951 as an amateur free agent. That move kicked off a five-year journey through their farm system.

He waited for his chance in the majors, stuck behind Hall of Fame shortstop Pee Wee Reese. Fernández finally made his MLB debut in July 1956 during the Dodgers’ pennant run.

Signing as an Amateur Free Agent

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Fernández as an amateur free agent in 1951. They saw him as a promising prospect for their farm system.

The Cuban shortstop brought natural athleticism and defensive skills to the Dodgers’ minors. His signing showed the team’s interest in developing international talent during the early ’50s.

Fernández threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet tall, and weighed 165 pounds. Those traits made him a good fit for shortstop.

Development in the Dodgers Farm System

Fernández spent three and a half years working his way up through the Dodgers’ Triple-A system. He reached Triple-A in his third season, showing solid progress.

His breakout year came in 1954 when he landed International League All-Star honors at shortstop. That nod put his defensive talent on display.

In 1955, he posted his best numbers in the minors, hitting .301—a career high for him. He started to show he could handle the bat, not just the glove.

But Pee Wee Reese kept blocking his path to the big leagues. The veteran shortstop anchored the Dodgers’ infield and left Fernández waiting for a real shot.

MLB Debut and 1956 Pennant Season

Fernández made his MLB debut on July 14, 1956 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The call-up came after years of grinding it out in the minors.

Between July 14 and 22, he started ten games at shortstop while Reese slid over to third base. The Dodgers wanted to see what their young prospect could do during the pennant chase.

His bat didn’t exactly catch fire—he hit just .231 with no extra-base hits during that stretch. The team went 6-4 in his starts, but his struggles at the plate were hard to miss.

On July 24, Reese moved back to shortstop, and Fernández started just five more games the rest of the season. The team leaned on Reese’s experience during the stretch run.

Fernández didn’t play in the 1956 World Series, which the Yankees won in seven games. With his limited role, he watched from the bench as the Dodgers came up short.

Philadelphia Phillies and Fielding Achievements

Fernández joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 1957 as their starting shortstop. He became the first person of color to play for the franchise.

His slick glove and baserunning skills quickly made him a fan favorite in Philadelphia.

Transition to the Phillies

After the 1956 season, the Dodgers traded Fernández to the Phillies for outfielder Elmer Valo, $75,000, and four players with limited big-league experience. That deal finally gave Fernández the shot he’d been waiting for.

Manager Mayo Smith named him starting shortstop for 1957. On Opening Day, Fernández broke the Phillies’ color barrier—a full decade after Jackie Robinson integrated the majors.

He beat out John Kennedy for the job. Kennedy became the second Black player for the Phillies just six days later as a pinch-runner.

Key Fielding Stats and Stolen Bases

Fernández hit .262 his first year with the Phillies, his career best. He anchored shortstop with steady defensive play and showed off his speed all season.

His baserunning became his calling card. On July 11, 1957, he stole three bases in a 1-0 win over the Cubs. Philly fans started chanting “Go, Chico, Go” whenever he got on base.

One steal really stands out—on May 25, 1957, at Connie Mack Stadium, he noticed Pirates pitcher Bob Smith wasn’t paying attention at third. He stole home, putting the Phillies up 5-4 in a game they eventually won 8-6.

Role as a Shortstop

Fernández gave the Phillies a solid foundation at shortstop with his spectacular defensive play. His glove helped the team surprise people in 1957 as they chased the pennant.

He could bunt and pull off the suicide squeeze, too. His defensive skills made tough plays look easy, and he provided some much-needed leadership in the infield.

He played for the Phillies from 1957 to 1960, holding down shortstop for four seasons. His defense and baserunning made him a real asset for Philadelphia.

Detroit Tigers: Career Highs and Milestones

Fernández hit his stride in Detroit from 1960 to 1963. He became the regular shortstop and put up his best offensive numbers there.

In 1962, he smashed a career-high 20 home runs, becoming the first Tigers shortstop to reach that mark.

Becoming Starting Shortstop

Fernández joined the Detroit Tigers in 1960 after a trade from Philadelphia. He grabbed the starting shortstop job and played 133 games that first season.

The Tigers were late to integrate, only adding their first Black player, Ozzie Virgil, in 1958. Fernández broke new ground as Detroit’s first regular player of color.

In 1961, he teamed up with second baseman Jake Wood, the Tigers’ first African American everyday regular. Their double-play combo helped Detroit win 101 games that year.

Even with all those wins, the Tigers finished second. It’s rare for a team to win over 100 games and not take first place.

Best Season and Offensive Highlights

Fernández’s 1962 season was his best. He hit 20 home runs, a first for a Tigers shortstop.

He started hot that year. By May 29, he had seven homers, tying teammate Rocky Colavito. He also had 20 RBIs and a .556 slugging percentage by then.

Nobody expected that power burst, not even Fernández. In the previous eleven years, he never hit more than six home runs in a season.

Key 1962 Stats:

• 20 home runs (career best)
• First Tigers shortstop with 20 homers
• Impressive early-season power

“I never tried to hit home runs before last season,” Fernández said. “I found I [would] hit the ball into the hole at shortstop, and he would throw me out. So, I decided to swing the bat harder.”

Significant Trades and Team Contributions

Despite his big 1962 season, Fernández’s time in Detroit ended fast. The Tigers traded him to the New York Mets on May 8, 1963.

Detroit got outfielder Lou Johnson and cash in return. The trade happened after Fernández showed up to spring training overweight and out of shape.

The Tigers had run out of patience with his attitude. He clashed with managers more than once. General manager Jim Campbell decided it was time to move on from the 31-year-old infielder.

Dick McAuliffe was waiting in the wings as the Tigers’ shortstop of the future. That made Fernández expendable, even after his success.

The trade hit Fernández hard. He loved Detroit and felt the fans appreciated him. For a moment, he thought about not reporting to the Mets, but he eventually decided to go.

Final MLB Years: New York Mets and Retirement in 1963

Chico Fernández’s last major league season in 1963 started with a wild double-trade on May 8 and ended with his retirement. His short time with the New York Mets closed out an eight-year MLB career.

Unique Double-Trade Day

On May 8, 1963, Chico Fernández went through one of baseball’s rarest situations. He got traded twice in a single day.

The Detroit Tigers first sent him to the Milwaukee Braves for Lou Johnson. Just hours later, the Braves flipped Fernández to the New York Mets for Larry Foss.

That double-trade made Fernández one of the few players to change teams twice in one day. The strange move showed just how quickly rosters could change in the 1963 season.

For Fernández, it meant joining the struggling Mets for what turned out to be his final MLB campaign.

Performance With the Mets

Fernández debuted for the Mets on May 11th at the Polo Grounds, coming in as a pinch hitter. He didn’t get a hit that first time up.

The next day, things started looking up. He played both games of a doubleheader against the Reds, picked up three hits, and crossed the plate twice.

On May 16th, Fernández launched his only home run as a Met against the Giants. He took Billy O’Dell deep, and that shot ended up being the last homer of his MLB career.

He moved around the diamond for the Mets. Fernández logged 45 games at shortstop, five at second, and three at third.

He struggled defensively, racking up eight errors across those spots. You can read more about it here.

The 1963 Mets wrapped up their season at 51-111, which was dead last in the National League. Fernández’s .200 batting average kind of summed up how tough things were for the team at the plate.

Transition Out of Major League Baseball

After 1963, the Mets traded Fernández to the White Sox for Charley Smith. He never made it back to the majors after that deal.

He wrapped up his MLB days with a .240 average over eight seasons. In that time, he collected 666 hits, 40 home runs, and 259 RBIs, bouncing between four different teams.

Fernández kept playing, heading to Japan before coming back to the minors. He spent four more years trying to claw his way back to the big leagues, sticking it out through 1968.

By 31, he decided to hang up his spikes for good. His last MLB game came with the Mets in 1963, closing out a career that started with the Brooklyn Dodgers back in 1956.

Legacy, Post-Baseball Life, and Personal Achievements

Chico Fernández finished with a .240 average over eight years, but honestly, his impact went way beyond the numbers. He showed off serious defensive skills at shortstop and helped pave the way for Latin players.

After leaving baseball in 1963, he jumped into the insurance world and stayed involved in baseball circles until he passed away in 2016.

Minor Leagues and International Play

Fernández spent six seasons grinding through the minors before getting his shot at the majors. From 1951 to 1956, he played for teams like the Billings Mustangs and Montreal Royals, sharpening his defense.

Montreal turned out to be a big stepping stone for him. Playing alongside another Cuban, Sandy Amoros, Fernández hit .282 in 1954 and even made the International League All-Star team.

Every winter, he returned to Cuba to play ball. He starred for Cienfuegos and once earned the title of their top player. Those winter leagues kept his skills sharp and helped him stay connected to his roots.

He really made shortstop his own during those years. Scouts noticed his range and strong arm, and those traits became his calling card in the majors.

Career Statistics and Defensive Impact

Over his eight-year MLB run from 1956 to 1963, Fernández posted a .240 batting average. He bounced between starting and coming off the bench, but his glove was his real ticket.

People around the league respected his defensive chops at shortstop. Teammates and rivals talked up his quick hands and strong throws. He pulled off some flashy plays that fans loved.

As a pinch-hitter and pinch-runner, he chipped in when teams needed speed or a defensive boost late in games.

One of his biggest moments at the plate came with a grand slam off Don Liddle at Ebbets Field in 1956. Even though he wasn’t known for his bat, that slam showed he could surprise people now and then.

Life After Baseball and Passing

After he retired in 1963, Fernández jumped into a new chapter with Metropolitan Life Insurance. For about 20 years, he worked as an insurance agent, bringing the same drive he had on the baseball field to his work.

His second career stretched from the mid-1960s into the 1980s. That steady paycheck gave him financial security, something a lot of former players from his time just didn’t have once their sports careers ended.

Fernández never really let go of baseball. He’d show up at old-timers’ games and Cuban baseball events now and then, swapping stories with younger players who wanted to hear about his days on the diamond.

He died on June 11, 2016, at the age of 84. His passing really felt like the closing of a chapter for those Cuban players who helped integrate Major League Baseball back in the 1950s and 1960s.