Putsy Caballero  Ralph Joseph "Putsy" Caballero (November 5, 1927 – December 8, 2016) was an American professional baseball infielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) in parts of eight seasons, all for the Philadelphia Phillies, during the Whiz Kids era. He holds the record as the youngest person in MLB history to appear at third base. After graduating from Jesuit High School in New Orleans at age 16, the Phillies signed Caballero to a contract worth $10,000. Following a few short stints at the major league level and playing parts of three seasons in the minor leagues, Caballero was named the Phillies starter at third base in 1948. In his only season as an everyday player, Caballero batted .245 in 380 plate appearances at age 20. After another stint in the minors in 1949, he was a backup infielder, pinch hitter, and pinch runner for the 1950 Phillies, and continued in that role through 1952. Following three more years in the minors, Caballero retired from baseball after the 1955 season. After his baseball career ended, Caballero worked as an exterminator. His Louisiana home was destroyed in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina, whereupon he then lived in Lakeview, New Orleans. Caballero attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he played baseball during the 1943 and 1944 seasons. During his first season, the Jesuit High team won both the city championship and the American Legion championship. The Philadelphia Phillies signed Caballero as an amateur free agent on September 9, 1944, the same year that fellow Whiz Kid shortstop Granny Hamner joined the organization. Caballero planned on attending Louisiana State University, where he had been offered a scholarship to play baseball and basketball. Mel Ott, a scout for the New York Giants and former outfielder, wanted Caballero to sign with the Giants, but counseled him to sign with whoever offers you the most money. The Phillies offered Caballero a $10,000 signing bonus ($ today), and his father advised him to sign the contract offered by general manager Herb Pennock and owner Bob Carpenter. At 16 years and 314 days old, Caballero appeared in four games for the 1944 Phillies, getting four at-bats without reaching base. In so doing, Caballero became the youngest third baseman ever to play in Major League Baseball, a record he still held at his death. For the 1945 season, the Phillies sent Caballero to the Class-A Utica Blue Sox of the Eastern League, where he played in 130 games at third base, batting .272 with 132 hits, 9 doubles, and 10 triples.