Jack Aragón
Encyclopedia
Ángel Valdés "Jack" Aragón Reyes, Jr. (November 20, 1915 – April 4, 1988) was a Cuban
professional baseball
player and manager
.
His playing career spanned 13 season, including one game during the 1941 season in Major League Baseball
with the New York Giants
. In that one game, he was used as a pinch-runner and had no plate appearance
s. Aragón also played in the minor leagues
with the Class-C Greenwood Giants, the Class-D Blytheville Giants, the Class-D Salisbury Giants, the Class-B Clinton Giants, the Class-B Winston-Salem Twins, the Class-A1 Knoxville Smokies, the Class-C Fort Smith Giants, the Double-A, and later Triple-A Minneapolis Millers
, the Double-A, and later Triple-A Louisville Colonels and the Class-A Jacksonville Tars.
Aragón's managerial career lasted five seasons, including four of those as a player-manager. Aragón's baseball career was interrupted in 1942 as he in the United States Coast Guard
during World War II
. After being discharged in 1944 at the rank of Electrician's Mate
, he returned to baseball. Over his minor league career, Aragón played 801 games. Aragón also served as a general manager
for the Knoxville Smokies from 1952 to 1953, and the Maryville-Alcoa Twins from 1953 to 1954. He batted and threw right-handed.
career in 1937 with the Greenwood Giants of the Class-C Cotton States League
. Greenwood was minor league baseball
team affiliated with the New York Giants
Major League Baseball
franchise. That season, he batted
.237 with nine hits
, two doubles
and two triples
in 18 games played
. On the defensive side, Aragón played all of his 18 games at the catcher
position, committing two errors
in 62 total chances
.
In 1939, Aragón joined the Blytheville Giants of the Class-D Northeast Arkansas League
. With Blytheville, who were a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants, Aragón batted .301 with 104 hits, 12 doubles, five triples and five home run
s in 98 games played. In the field
, he played 96 games as a catcher, committing 22 errors in 742 total chances, translating into a .970 fielding percentage
. During the 1939 season, Aragón played with four different teams in three different organizations. First with the New York Giants organization, he played with the Class-D Salisbury Giants and the Class-B Clinton Giants. With Salisbury, who were members of the North Carolina State League
, Aragón batted .238 with 15 hits and five doubles in 20 games played. All of those 20 games were at the catcher position. It is unknown how many games Aragón played with the Clinton Giants that season. After he played in the Giants organization, he moved on to the Cleveland Indians
and Pittsburgh Pirates
organizations'. With the Class-B Winston-Salem Twins, who were affiliated with the Indians, Aragón batted .236 with 22 hits, four doubles, two triples and two home runs in 32 games played. Aragón's fourth team that season were the Class-A1 Knoxville Smokies, who were affiliated with the Pirates organization. In 16 games with the Smokies, he batted .192 with five hits. Each team he played with the season used him as a catcher.
In 1940, Aragón made his return to the New York Giants organization, playing with the minor league Fort Smith Giants of the Class-C Western Association
. He batted .189 with 17 hits and three doubles in 36 games played that season as a member of the Fort Smith club. During all of his 36 games, Aragón was used as a catcher, committing five errors in 186 total chances.
Aragón began working for the New York Giants as a batting practice catcher in 1941. He did not play with the Giants until August 13, 1941, a game that would mark his only appearance in Major League Baseball. In that game, which was against the Boston Braves, Aragón was used as a pinch runner
and did not have a plate appearance
.
In 1942, during the midst of World War II
, Aragón left professional baseball and entered the United States Coast Guard
. He was stationed at Ellis Island
during the war and was discharged on January 15, 1944 as an Electrician's Mate
.
After his discharge from the Coast Guard, Aragón returned to professional baseball, signing with the Minneapolis Millers
of the Double-A American Association
in 1944. He batted .199 with 35 runs
, 74 hits, 16 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 43 runs batted in (RBIs) and seven stolen base
s in 127 games played that season. In the field, he played all of his recorded defensive appearances (117 games) at catcher, committing 20 errors in 526 total chances. During the 1945 season, Aragón played with two teams, the Minneapolis Millers and the Louisville Colonels. While the Millers were not affiliated with any major league organization, the Colonels were a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
. In 88 combined games that season, Aragón batted .247 with 32 runs, 60 hits, 15 doubles, one home run and 32 RBIs. On defense, he played 79 games at catcher, committing 16 errors in 370 total chances.
In 1946, Aragón spent the entire season with the Louisville Colonels, batting .217 with five hits and three RBIs in 11 games played. In the field, he played 10 games at the catcher position, committing one error in 55 total chances. Aragón split the 1947 season between the Minneapolis Millers and the Louisville Colonels. With the Colonels, who were still affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, Aragón played 67 games. On August 9, 1947, the Red Sox traded him along with Frank Genovese and Lum Harris
to the New York Giants in exchange for Russ Rolandson, Augie Bergamo
and Ken Jungels
. The Giants then assigned Aragón to the Millers where he played 11 games. Between the two teams that season, Aragón batted .218 with 20 runs, 42 hits, 14 hits, one double and 16 RBIs.
career in 1948 with the Class-C Fort Smith Giants in the New York Giants organization. Aragón was a player-manager, meaning that while he managed the team, he also played for them. On the season, he batted .264 with 29 hits, four doubles and one home run in 44 games played. Fort Smith that season went 82–58 finishing second in the Western Association, losing in first round the league playoffs. On January 9, 1949, it was announced that Aragón would become the manager of the Jacksonville Tars, who were members of the Class-A South Atlantic League
. During the season, Aragón broke every bone in his hand after punching the wall of the dugout
when the umpire
did not make a call in his favor. Aragón was also used as a player that season, batting .246 with 45 hits, nine doubles, two triples and one home run in 80 games played. The Tars finished the season with a record
of 73–81.
During the 1952 season, Aragón joined the Knoxville Smokies of the Class-B Tri-State League
as their player-manager. He also served at their general manager
. As a player, Aragón batted .193 with 28 hits, five doubles and four home runs in 71 games played. The Smokies as a team finished the season with a record of 89–58. They were first in the league in record, but lost in the first round of the league playoffs. In 1951, Aragón continued playing and managing the Smokies. On the season, Aragón batted .288 with 49 hits, 11 doubles, one triple and five home runs in 82 games played. Aragón also led the Smokies to a 60–79 record. In 1953, Aragón was only used as a manager, making the first time in his career that he did not play while managing. He was replaced mid-season that year as manager of the Smokies by Leon Culberson
. Later that season, Aragón became the general manager of the Maryville-Alcoa Twins, who were members of the Mountain States League
. During the 1954 season, Aragón quit that position due to a financial disagreement.
, Cuba
on November 20, 1915. Although he was born in Havana, Aragón was raised in New York City
. His father, Ángel Aragón
, was also a professional baseball
player who played 32 career games in Major League Baseball
with the New York Yankees
. Jack Aragón died on April 4, 1988 in Clearwater, Florida
and was buried at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park in Largo, Florida
.
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
.
His playing career spanned 13 season, including one game during the 1941 season in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
with the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. In that one game, he was used as a pinch-runner and had no plate appearance
Plate appearance
In baseball statistics, a player is credited with a plate appearance each time he completes a turn batting. A player completes a turn batting when: He strikes out or is declared out before reaching first base; or He reaches first base safely or is awarded first base ; or He hits a fair ball which...
s. Aragón also played in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
with the Class-C Greenwood Giants, the Class-D Blytheville Giants, the Class-D Salisbury Giants, the Class-B Clinton Giants, the Class-B Winston-Salem Twins, the Class-A1 Knoxville Smokies, the Class-C Fort Smith Giants, the Double-A, and later Triple-A Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
, the Double-A, and later Triple-A Louisville Colonels and the Class-A Jacksonville Tars.
Aragón's managerial career lasted five seasons, including four of those as a player-manager. Aragón's baseball career was interrupted in 1942 as he in the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After being discharged in 1944 at the rank of Electrician's Mate
Electrician's Mate
Electrician's Mate is a United States Navy and United States Coast Guard occupational rating.Electrician's Mates stand watch on generators, switchboards, control equipment and electrical equipment; operate and perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on power and lighting circuits,...
, he returned to baseball. Over his minor league career, Aragón played 801 games. Aragón also served as a general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
for the Knoxville Smokies from 1952 to 1953, and the Maryville-Alcoa Twins from 1953 to 1954. He batted and threw right-handed.
Playing career
Aragón began his professional baseballProfessional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
career in 1937 with the Greenwood Giants of the Class-C Cotton States League
Cotton States League
The Cotton States League name was used five different times in baseball history. The first Cotton States League ran from 1902 through 1908 as a class D league. After the league shut down, another Cotton States League was reformulated in 1910, with three of the six '08 members returning for the new...
. Greenwood was minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team affiliated with the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
franchise. That season, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.237 with nine hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, two doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and two triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
in 18 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. On the defensive side, Aragón played all of his 18 games at the catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
position, committing two errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 62 total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
.
In 1939, Aragón joined the Blytheville Giants of the Class-D Northeast Arkansas League
Northeast Arkansas League
The Northeast Arkansas League was the name used by a pair of American minor league baseball leagues. The first of these started operations in 1909 and continued through 1911. The second version began operations for the 1936 season. It continued through the 1941 season.-1909:The teams from...
. With Blytheville, who were a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants, Aragón batted .301 with 104 hits, 12 doubles, five triples and five home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in 98 games played. In the field
Baseball field
A baseball field, also called a ball field or a baseball diamond, is the field upon which the game of baseball is played. The terms "baseball field" and "ball field" are also often used as synonyms for ballpark.-Specifications:...
, he played 96 games as a catcher, committing 22 errors in 742 total chances, translating into a .970 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. During the 1939 season, Aragón played with four different teams in three different organizations. First with the New York Giants organization, he played with the Class-D Salisbury Giants and the Class-B Clinton Giants. With Salisbury, who were members of the North Carolina State League
North Carolina State League
The North Carolina State League was a "Class D" league in Minor League Baseball. The original version of the league existed from 1913-1917 as the successor to the Carolina Association...
, Aragón batted .238 with 15 hits and five doubles in 20 games played. All of those 20 games were at the catcher position. It is unknown how many games Aragón played with the Clinton Giants that season. After he played in the Giants organization, he moved on to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
organizations'. With the Class-B Winston-Salem Twins, who were affiliated with the Indians, Aragón batted .236 with 22 hits, four doubles, two triples and two home runs in 32 games played. Aragón's fourth team that season were the Class-A1 Knoxville Smokies, who were affiliated with the Pirates organization. In 16 games with the Smokies, he batted .192 with five hits. Each team he played with the season used him as a catcher.
In 1940, Aragón made his return to the New York Giants organization, playing with the minor league Fort Smith Giants of the Class-C Western Association
Western Association
The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887...
. He batted .189 with 17 hits and three doubles in 36 games played that season as a member of the Fort Smith club. During all of his 36 games, Aragón was used as a catcher, committing five errors in 186 total chances.
Aragón began working for the New York Giants as a batting practice catcher in 1941. He did not play with the Giants until August 13, 1941, a game that would mark his only appearance in Major League Baseball. In that game, which was against the Boston Braves, Aragón was used as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
and did not have a plate appearance
Plate appearance
In baseball statistics, a player is credited with a plate appearance each time he completes a turn batting. A player completes a turn batting when: He strikes out or is declared out before reaching first base; or He reaches first base safely or is awarded first base ; or He hits a fair ball which...
.
In 1942, during the midst of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Aragón left professional baseball and entered the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. He was stationed at Ellis Island
Ellis Island
Ellis Island in New York Harbor was the gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States. It was the nation's busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954. The island was greatly expanded with landfill between 1892 and 1934. Before that, the much smaller original island was the...
during the war and was discharged on January 15, 1944 as an Electrician's Mate
Electrician's Mate
Electrician's Mate is a United States Navy and United States Coast Guard occupational rating.Electrician's Mates stand watch on generators, switchboards, control equipment and electrical equipment; operate and perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on power and lighting circuits,...
.
After his discharge from the Coast Guard, Aragón returned to professional baseball, signing with the Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
of the Double-A American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
in 1944. He batted .199 with 35 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 74 hits, 16 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 43 runs batted in (RBIs) and seven stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 127 games played that season. In the field, he played all of his recorded defensive appearances (117 games) at catcher, committing 20 errors in 526 total chances. During the 1945 season, Aragón played with two teams, the Minneapolis Millers and the Louisville Colonels. While the Millers were not affiliated with any major league organization, the Colonels were a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. In 88 combined games that season, Aragón batted .247 with 32 runs, 60 hits, 15 doubles, one home run and 32 RBIs. On defense, he played 79 games at catcher, committing 16 errors in 370 total chances.
In 1946, Aragón spent the entire season with the Louisville Colonels, batting .217 with five hits and three RBIs in 11 games played. In the field, he played 10 games at the catcher position, committing one error in 55 total chances. Aragón split the 1947 season between the Minneapolis Millers and the Louisville Colonels. With the Colonels, who were still affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, Aragón played 67 games. On August 9, 1947, the Red Sox traded him along with Frank Genovese and Lum Harris
Lum Harris
Chalmer Luman Harris was an American right-handed pitcher, coach, manager, and scout in Major League Baseball....
to the New York Giants in exchange for Russ Rolandson, Augie Bergamo
Augie Bergamo
August Samuel Bergamo was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1944 and 1945. A native of Detroit, Michigan, he stood 5'9" and weighed 165 lbs....
and Ken Jungels
Ken Jungels
Kenneth Peter Jungels was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for five seasons. He played for the Cleveland Indians from 1937 to 1938 and 1940 to 1941 and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1942.-External links:...
. The Giants then assigned Aragón to the Millers where he played 11 games. Between the two teams that season, Aragón batted .218 with 20 runs, 42 hits, 14 hits, one double and 16 RBIs.
Managerial career
Aragón began his managerialManager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
career in 1948 with the Class-C Fort Smith Giants in the New York Giants organization. Aragón was a player-manager, meaning that while he managed the team, he also played for them. On the season, he batted .264 with 29 hits, four doubles and one home run in 44 games played. Fort Smith that season went 82–58 finishing second in the Western Association, losing in first round the league playoffs. On January 9, 1949, it was announced that Aragón would become the manager of the Jacksonville Tars, who were members of the Class-A South Atlantic League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
. During the season, Aragón broke every bone in his hand after punching the wall of the dugout
Dugout (baseball)
In baseball, the dugout is a team's bench area and is located in foul territory between home plate and either first or third base. There are two dugouts, one for the home team and one for the visiting team. In general, the dugout is occupied by all players not prescribed to be on the field at that...
when the umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
did not make a call in his favor. Aragón was also used as a player that season, batting .246 with 45 hits, nine doubles, two triples and one home run in 80 games played. The Tars finished the season with a record
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
of 73–81.
During the 1952 season, Aragón joined the Knoxville Smokies of the Class-B Tri-State League
Tri-State League
The Tri-State League was the name of five different circuits in American minor league baseball.-History:The first league of that name played for four years and consisted of teams in Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia....
as their player-manager. He also served at their general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
. As a player, Aragón batted .193 with 28 hits, five doubles and four home runs in 71 games played. The Smokies as a team finished the season with a record of 89–58. They were first in the league in record, but lost in the first round of the league playoffs. In 1951, Aragón continued playing and managing the Smokies. On the season, Aragón batted .288 with 49 hits, 11 doubles, one triple and five home runs in 82 games played. Aragón also led the Smokies to a 60–79 record. In 1953, Aragón was only used as a manager, making the first time in his career that he did not play while managing. He was replaced mid-season that year as manager of the Smokies by Leon Culberson
Leon Culberson
Delbert Leon Culberson was a Major League baseball outfielder. He was born in Halls, GA.Culberson hit for the cycle on July 3, 1943. In 1946, he appeared in the World Series for the Boston Red Sox and was the outfielder who fielded Harry Walker's hit that resulted in Slaughter's Mad Dash.He died...
. Later that season, Aragón became the general manager of the Maryville-Alcoa Twins, who were members of the Mountain States League
Mountain States League
For the league that operated from 1937 to 1942, see Mountain State LeagueThe Mountain States League was a minor league baseball league which operated as a class D league in and . It was based in West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. Prior to that, it had been known as the Virginia Valley League.In...
. During the 1954 season, Aragón quit that position due to a financial disagreement.
Personal
Aragón was born in HavanaHavana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
on November 20, 1915. Although he was born in Havana, Aragón was raised in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His father, Ángel Aragón
Angel Aragón
Ángel Aragón was a professional baseball player and father of Jack Aragon. Aragón spent his entire baseball career with the New York Yankees.- References :...
, was also a professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player who played 32 career games in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Jack Aragón died on April 4, 1988 in Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
and was buried at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park in Largo, Florida
Largo, Florida
Largo is the third largest city in Pinellas County, Florida, USA and is part of the Tampa Bay Area. Centrally located, it is the crossroads of the county. As of the 2000 census, the City had a total population of 69,371. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau was...
.