Brooklyn-born Lee Louis Mazzilli was a player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder for the New York Mets, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays from 1976 through 1989. He was an MLB All-Star in 1979. Lee also managed the Baltimore Orioles from 2004 through 2005 and coached the Yankees from 2000 through 2003 and in 2006.

An excellent athlete, Mazzilli was the son of welterweight boxer Libero Mazzilli. Growing up, the sport Lee most excelled at was speed skating, in which he won eight national championships. He graduated from Brooklyn's Lincoln High School in 1973, and was the first round selection (14th pick overall) of the hometown New York Mets in the 1973 Major League Baseball draft. Lee was quite popular in New York City, thanks not only to his talent, but his Brooklyn roots and matinée idol looks.

For five years with the Mets, Lee was mentored by Joe Torre. In 1979, Mazzilli was the sole representative for the Mets at the All-Star Game in Seattle. He hit a game-tying solo home run in the eighth inning, and drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to bring in the winning run of the National League's 7–6 victory. Lee was also on 1986 World Champion New York Mets.

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. Lee was also featured in the book "The Wax Pack" in which the author opens a pack of 1986 cards, then takes a road trip in 2015 to visit each of the players within.

His son, L.J. Mazzilli, began his minor league career in 2013.

(excerpted from SABR, BR Bullpen & Wikipedia)