Lee Mazzilli

Lee Mazzilli Outfielder/ First basemanBorn: March 25, 1955(1955-03-25) (age 53)
Brooklyn, New YorkBatted: Switch Threw: Right MLB debut September 7, 1976
for the New York MetsFinal game September 29, 1989
for the Toronto Blue JaysCareer statistics Batting average .259 Hits 1,068 Runs batted in 460 Teams

As Player

As Manager

Baltimore Orioles (2004-2005)

Career highlights and awards

All-Star selection (1979)
World Series champion (1986)

Lee Louis Mazzilli, (born March 25, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York), is a former Major League Baseball player, coach, and manager. On December 11, 2006, he was hired as the lead studio analyst for SportsNet New York, the New York Mets' cable television network.[1]

1 Playing career
2 Managing/Coaching career
- 2.1 Managerial record
3 References
4 External links

Playing career

He is most remembered as a member of the Mets, who selected him with the 14th pick in the first round of the June, 1973 draft. He was quite popular in New York, thanks not only to his talent, but his Brooklyn roots and matinée idol looks.[2]

While in the minor leagues, Mazzilli set a California League record (and what is believed to be a professional record) when he stole seven bases in a game for Mets minor league affiliate Visalia against San Jose on June 8, 1975.[3]

In 1979, Mazzilli led the Mets with 181 hits, and 79 RBI. The following year, he had his best statistical season, leading the Mets with 162 hits, 31 doubles, 16 home runs, 76 RBI, 82 runs, and 41 stolen bases.

Following the 1981 season, where he hit only .228 and was hampered by injuries to his back and elbow, he was traded by the Mets to the Texas Rangers. Though initially unpopular with Met fans, the deal would prove to be a good one, bringing minor league pitchers Ron Darling and Walt Terrell in return. Darling would go on to be a key starter on Mets' 1986 World Series championship team, while Terrell was traded to the Detroit Tigers for another important player on that team, slugger Howard Johnson following the 1984 season.

Mazzilli played only 58 games with Texas and was traded to the Yankees for Bucky Dent midway through the 1982 season. Prior to the 1983 season, Mazzilli was traded to the Pirates, where he spent three and a half seasons. After he was released by the Pirates in July, 1986, he re-signed with the Mets, and was an important part of their championship team. Mazzilli's career with the Mets continued until 1989 when he was claimed by the Blue Jays on waivers. Mazzilli retired after the 1989 season, his 14th in the Major Leagues.

At the end of his career, the versatile Mazzilli took up acting, starring as Tony in an off-Broadway production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding.[4]

Managing/Coaching career

Mazzilli was manager of the Baltimore Orioles from 2004 to 2005. He was first base coach to the New York Yankees from 2000 to 2003 and bench coach in 2006.[5]

Managerial record

Team Year Regular Season Post Season Games Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result BAL2004 162 78 84 .481 3rd in AL East - - - - BAL2005 107 51 56 .477 4th in AL East - - - - Total 269 129 140 .480 - - - -

References

^ ESPN - Mazzilli named lead studio analyst for SNY - MLB
^ The Official Site of The New York Mets: News: New York Mets News
^ "Records might mean more later," Peter Marshall, San Bernadino County Sun, August 20, 2005
^ Sharon Angela (I) - Biography
^ Mazzilli rejoins Yanks as bench coach (11/02/2005)

External links

Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
BaseballLibrary.com - player profile

Preceded by
Jose Cardneal New York YankeesFirst Base Coach
2000-2003 Succeeded by
Roy White Preceded by
Mike Hargrove Baltimore Orioles Manager
2004–2005 Succeeded by
Sam PerlozzoPreceded by
Joe Girardi New York YankeesBench Coach
2006 Succeeded by
Don Mattingly