Former major league manager Lee Elia died on Wednesday, a week before his 88th birthday, the Philadelphia Phillies announced on Thursday.
“Elia was a valued contributor to the Phillies for much of his half century in professional baseball,” the team said in a statement. “The third base coach for the 1980 World Series championship team, he also spent time in the organization as a minor league player, manager, scout and director of instruction.
“Affiliated with 10 different organizations throughout his distinguished career, he always considered himself a Phillie at heart.”
Elia managed the Chicago Cubs in 1982-83, with the teams a combined 127-158 (.446). He guided the Phillies from 1987-88 for a 111-142-1 (.439) mark, for a total managerial record of 238-300-1 (.442) over four seasons.
He made his major league debut as a shortstop for the Chicago White Sox in April 1966 and played in 80 games. The Cubs purchased his contract in May 1967 and he played in 15 games in the 1968 season. He batted a combined .203 with three home runs and 25 RBIs in 95 MLB games.
The Phillies initially signed the Philadelphia native as an amateur free agent in September 1958 after he attended the University of Delaware. They traded him to the White Sox in December 1964.
Elia, born on July 16, 1937, also coached and served in other capacities with the Phillies, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Baltimore Orioles between 1980 and 2008.
“We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Lee Elia, who played a key role in some of the greatest teams in franchise history as a hitting coach (1993-97), bench coach (2001-02) and special assistant to the field manager (2008),” the Mariners said on social media.
Seattle manager Dan Wilson, who played primarily catcher for the team from 1994-2005, called Elia “special” in a statement released by the team.
“Baseball has lost a giant,” Wilson said. “A great baseball man and an even better human. He was like a father to me and taught me how to be a big leaguer. Known to most of us as Uncle Lee for his kind demeanor and the love he showed everyone. We will all miss him dearly.”
–Field Level Media
