Lee Mazzilli

Lee Louis Mazzilli was born on March 25, 1955, in New York. He was selected by the New York Mets in the first round of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft from Abraham Lincoln High School. Mazzilli started his professional playing career in 1976 as an outfielder, pinch hitter, and first baseman. His career highlights include a notable All-Star appearance in 1979 and a World Series title in 1986.

Mazzilli played for several MLB teams, including two stints with the New York Mets (1976-1981, 1986-1989), the Texas Rangers (1982), the New York Yankees (1982), the Pittsburgh Pirates (1983-1986), and the Toronto Blue Jays (1989). In 1979, he achieved his best statistical season, leading the Mets with 181 hits and 79 runs batted in, while earning an All-Star selection. In the 1979 All-Star Game, he hit a game-tying solo home run and later drew a bases-loaded walk to secure the winning run for the National League.

After retiring as a player in 1989, Mazzilli transitioned into coaching and managerial roles. He served as the manager for the Norwich Navigators from 1997-1998 and later managed the Baltimore Orioles from 2004 to 2005. Additionally, he held coaching positions with the New York Yankees, serving as their first base coach from 2000 to 2003 and later as bench coach in 2006. His coaching career also saw him contribute to another World Series victory with the New York Yankees in 2000.