AMAZIN’ BLOODLINES: Lee Mazzilli (inset), drafted by the Mets in 1973, says his son L.J. Mazzilli, a UConn second baseman selected by the same team yesterday, is “a better player than I was.” (Steve Slade/UConn Athletics; AP)
Lee MAZZILLI’s text came shortly after his son L.J. was selected in the fourth round of the MLB draft by the Mets yesterday. The baseball lives of father and son have come full circle.
Lee was a first-round pick of the Mets 40 years ago, the 14th player taken in the 1973 draft. He went on to play 14 years in the majors with two separate stints with the Mets, covering 10 years. He arrived in the majors in 1976 and stayed with the Mets through 1981. He then spent time with the Rangers, Yankees and Pirates before returning to the Mets in 1986, just in time to win a World Series.
“And by the way,’’ Mazzilli texted me, “he’s a better player than I was.’’
The father, former manager of the Orioles, knows better than anyone.
There are a number of reasons why it was a good move for the Mets to draft L.J. Mazzilli, a second baseman out of UConn, including the fact his bloodlines run deep in the majors, but Lee’s comment is the most encouraging news for Mets fans.
Mets director of amateur scouting Tommy Tanous described L.J. Mazzilli as a “high performance college player. Offensive second baseman.’’ Added Paul DePodesta, the Mets VP of player development and amateur scouting, “This is a guy we’ve had interest in for at least three years now.”
The Mets need all the hitters they can get and Mazzilli can hit. He always could hit. I remember seeing him play against my youngest son’s summer league team five years ago and it was clear then Mazzilli would make an impact.
Mazzilli went on to UConn where he had a terrific college career and was named the District II player of the year yesterday. He was drafted by the Twins last year in the ninth round but did not sign, rolling the dice and coming back for his senior season. It turned out to be a tremendous move as he helped guide the Huskies to the Big East title and a fun run in the NCAA Tournament.
Now he is a Met, just like his dad, taken 116th overall. Lee remembers that day 40 years ago when he was drafted as if it were yesterday.
“I was at Lincoln High School in Brooklyn,’’ Lee, 58, recalled last night on a conference call. “My coach came looking for me, obviously there were no cell phones back then or Internet and he said, ‘Did you hear anything?’ I said, ‘No I did not.’ He looked at me and pointed No. 1 and said, ‘Mets.’ I just ran home to my dad. That was a special day for me.’’
And here is yesterday’s forever memory.
“We had an idea the Mets were looking to take me in the fourth round,’’ L.J. said. “We were just sitting in my dad’s office, me, him and my mom and watching the draft coverage on MLB.com and as soon as we heard ‘Met draft re-draft…’ we all got the feeling my name was going to be called. It got called and me and my dad just hugged instantly. It was an amazing moment for us and our family.’’
L.J., 22, could stay at second or move to the outfield. He can run. He can hit. He batted .354 this season with 29 stolen bases, six home runs and 51 RBIs.
“This is a good thing for L.J. and he’s off to start his own career,’’ Lee said. “This is a great day for us, I cannot be more proud as a dad.’’
L.J. Mazzilli is following the same Mets path but is walking in his own spikes.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity and to Jeff Wilpon,’’ he said, also praising his father for all he taught him about baseball as well as mentioning ex-Mets manager Bobby Valentine.
“I am so excited to have the opportunity that my dad had 40 years ago, and looking forward to making my own name out there and carrying my last name with a lot of pride.’’
And don’t forget, as Lee noted in that text: “He’s a better player than I was.’’