aparicio became part of the sabios de vargas for the next six campaigns, hitting a career-high .322 average in the 1946–47 season, while leading his team to the championship title. he retired from active play with gavilanes in 1953. in a symbolic gesture during the team's home opener, he led off as the first hitter of the game. aparicio turned to face howie fox of the lácteos de pastora, then, after taking the first pitch, had aparicio jr. take his place at bat. this was the first professional appearance of aparicio jr., who previously had served as batboy for his father's team.