Posts

Bobby Valentine: The Post Playing Career (Mets Hall of Fame Manager, Coach & More)

-
Image
After Bobby Valentine's playing career ended in 1979, he became a highly sought-after coach. Coach :  In 1980 Valentine began his coaching career as a minor league infield instructor for the San Diego Padres (1980-1981). The Padres had been the last team Bobby had played for, just the past year. In 1982, the Mets hired the Stamford, Connecticut native, high school baseball star as a coach. Bobby was thrilled to be close to home & back with his old team in the New York metro area.  In 1983 he became the team’s third base coach. He would also handle the infielders and base-running instructions. As a Mets coach he worked under three Mets managers; George Bamberger (1982) Frank Howard (1983) and Davey Johnson (1984). Bobby quickly became a popular figure as a Mets coach, and a fan favorite. His coaching talents & baseball knowledge as well as a natural feel for the game, was recognized throughout the league. There was talk all over MLB...
Read more

Lee Mazzilli: Popular Italian / American Mets All Star (1976-1981 / 1986-1989)

-
Image
Lee Louis Mazzilli   was born March 25, 1955, in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn New York. His grandfather was born in Bari, Italy, located on the Adriatic Sea in the southwestern Puglia region of the country. He immigrated to New York & worked in a piano factory. Lee’s father Libero became a welterweight boxer & lived in the same three-room Brooklyn apartment until his passing in 2007. Speed Skater: As a child Lee not only played baseball but also won three straight national speed-skating championships.  Mazzilli attended Lincoln High School in Coney Island, famous for such alumni as Mel Brooks, Harvey Keitel, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, John Forsythe, Lou Gossett Jr., Buddy Rich, Arthur Miller, Leona Helmsley, as well as many other including the doo wop group; the Tokens of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” fame. Former Mets pitcher Nelson Figueroa also attended the school. In 1973 after graduating, Mazzilli was chosen as the reigning NL Champion Mets first round ...
Read more