Manuel Lee
Encyclopedia
Manuel Lora Lee is a former shortstop and second baseman for Major League Baseball
's Toronto Blue Jays
(1985–92), Texas Rangers
(1993–94) and St. Louis Cardinals
(1995). He was originally signed as an amateur free agent with the New York Mets
in 1982.
He helped the Blue Jays win the AL Eastern Division during his rookie season in 1985, and also in 1989 and 1991. In what would be his final season with the Blue Jays, he helped them to become the first Canadian team to win the World Series
in 1992. He also helped the Rangers take the lead in the American League Western Division before the 1994 strike truncated the season.
In 11 seasons, he played in 922 games, had 2,693 at bats, 304 runs, 686 hits, 88 doubles, 20 triples, 19 home runs, 249 RBI, 31 stolen bases, 201 walks, .255 batting average, .305 on-base percentage, .323 slugging percentage, 871 total bases, 43 sacrifice hits, 19 sacrifice flies and five intentional walks.
signed Lee as an amateur free agent on May 9, 1982, when Lee was 16 years old. Lee reported to the Kingsport Mets
of the Appalachian League
for the 1982 season, and in 54 at-bats, Lee hit .222 with no home runs and 3 RBI. He would split the 1983 season between Mets Gulf Coast League
team and the Little Falls Mets
of the New York-Penn League, where he hit a .261 in 49 games between the two clubs.
Lee played the 1984 season with the Columbia Mets
of the South Atlantic League
, where he hit an impressive .329 in 102 games. On August 31, 1984, the Mets sent Lee, Gerald Young
and Mitch Cook
to the Houston Astros
for Ray Knight
.
or any of their minor league teams, as he was left available in the 1984 Rule 5 Draft
, which was on December 3, 1984. The Toronto Blue Jays
selected Lee in the draft.
, in which Toronto won 1-0. He had his first official at-bat on April 24 against Kansas City, striking out against Mike Jones. Lee recorded his first major league hit in his eighth at-bat, singling against Rick Behenna
of the Cleveland Indians
on June 2 at Exhibition Stadium
. Lee finished the season with a .200 batting average with no home runs or RBI in 40 at-bats. With the Blue Jays winning the American League East
, they advanced to the 1985 ALCS, where Lee went hitless in one at-bat, as Toronto lost to the Kansas City Royals
in seven games.
Lee would spend most of the 1986 season in the minor leagues, splitting time between the Knoxville Blue Jays and Syracuse Chiefs, where he hit a combined .256 with one home run. While with Toronto, Lee would hit his first major league home run, a solo shot off of Mike Smithson of the Minnesota Twins
on August 29, 1986. Lee appeared in 35 games with Toronto, hitting .205 with one home run and 7 RBI.
He would once again split the 1987 season between the majors and minors, appearing in 76 games with Syracuse, batting .283 in 251 at-bats, while batting .256 with one home run and 11 RBI with Toronto in 121 at-bats.
Lee would become the Blue Jays starting second baseman in 1988, playing in 116 games, while batting .291 with 2 HR and 38 RBI. In 1989, Lee would split time with Nelson Liriano
at second base, and occasionally fill in for shortstop Tony Fernandez
. Lee hit .260 with 3 HR and 34 RBI while appearing in 99 games, helping Toronto win the division and advance to the playoffs. In the 1989 ALCS, Lee appeared in two games, batting .250 while scoring two runs as the Blue Jays lost to the Oakland Athletics
in five games.
In 1990, Lee would get the majority of playing time at second base, batting .243 with 6 HR and 41 RBI, both career highs. In the off-season, the Blue Jays would shift Lee to become the starting shortstop, as they acquired second baseman Roberto Alomar
in a deal with the San Diego Padres
. In 1991, Lee appeared in a career high 138 games, hitting .234 with no homers and 29 RBI. Lee struggled in the 1991 ALCS, hitting only .125 in the Blue Jays five game loss to the Minnesota Twins
.
Lee returned as the Blue Jays starting shortstop in 1992, as he improved his hitting, batting .263 with 3 HR and 39 RBI. Toronto once again won their division, and faced the Oakland Athletics
in the 1992 ALCS. In six games, Lee hit .278 with 3 RBI, as Toronto defeated Oakland to advance to the 1992 World Series
against the Atlanta Braves
. Lee struggled in the World Series, hitting only .105, however, the Blue Jays would defeat the Braves in six games to win the championship.
On November 4, 1992, Lee was granted free agency.
signed Lee as a free agent to become the team's starting shortstop. After missing the Rangers first eight games, Lee made his Texas debut on April 16, 1993, getting a hit and a run in a 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees
at Yankee Stadium
. Lee would battle injuries during the season, appearing in only 73 games, batting .220 with 1 HR and 12 RBI. He would rebound in the 1994 season, as Lee hit .278 with 2 HR and 38 RBI in 95 games with Texas before the season ended early due to the 1994 Baseball Strike
. At the time of the strike, the Rangers were leading the American League West
.
On October 28, 1994, Lee became a free agent.
signed Lee on April 18, 1995. He made his Cardinals debut on April 26, 1995 against the Philadelphia Phillies
at Busch Stadium
. Lee earned a hit in his first, and only Cardinals at-bat, as he left the game in the fourth inning due to an injury. The Cardinals sent Lee to the minor leagues for a rehab assignment, where in 12 games, he hit .308, however, St. Louis released Lee on June 22. Lee announced his retirement shortly after.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
(1985–92), Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(1993–94) and St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1995). He was originally signed as an amateur free agent with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in 1982.
He helped the Blue Jays win the AL Eastern Division during his rookie season in 1985, and also in 1989 and 1991. In what would be his final season with the Blue Jays, he helped them to become the first Canadian team to win the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
in 1992. He also helped the Rangers take the lead in the American League Western Division before the 1994 strike truncated the season.
In 11 seasons, he played in 922 games, had 2,693 at bats, 304 runs, 686 hits, 88 doubles, 20 triples, 19 home runs, 249 RBI, 31 stolen bases, 201 walks, .255 batting average, .305 on-base percentage, .323 slugging percentage, 871 total bases, 43 sacrifice hits, 19 sacrifice flies and five intentional walks.
New York Mets
The New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
signed Lee as an amateur free agent on May 9, 1982, when Lee was 16 years old. Lee reported to the Kingsport Mets
Kingsport Mets
The Kingsport Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Kingsport, Tennessee, United States. The team, which plays in the Appalachian League, is a Rookie League affiliate of Major League Baseball's New York Mets....
of the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
for the 1982 season, and in 54 at-bats, Lee hit .222 with no home runs and 3 RBI. He would split the 1983 season between Mets Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
team and the Little Falls Mets
Little Falls Mets
The Little Falls Mets were a minor league baseball team located in Little Falls, New York. The team played in the New York - Penn League, and were affiliated with the New York Mets. Their home stadium was Little Falls Veterans Memorial Park...
of the New York-Penn League, where he hit a .261 in 49 games between the two clubs.
Lee played the 1984 season with the Columbia Mets
Columbia Mets
Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the Columbia Mets were affiliated with the New York Mets from 1983 to 1992. A member of the South Atlantic League, they became the Capital City Bombers in 1993. They played in Capital City Stadium.-Year by Year Record:...
of the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
, where he hit an impressive .329 in 102 games. On August 31, 1984, the Mets sent Lee, Gerald Young
Gerald Young
Gerald Anthony Young was a Major League Baseball outfielder. He was noted for his long strides and blazing speed, and although considered somewhat of a "hot dog" because of what appeared to be a lackadaisical style , he was considered one of the best defensive center fielders of his time...
and Mitch Cook
Mitch Cook
Mitchel Christopher "Mitch" Cook is a retired English professional football player. He played for seven different Football League clubs during a twenty-year career, and had four separate spells at Scarborough, his hometown club...
to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for Ray Knight
Ray Knight
Charles Ray Knight is a former right-handed Major League Baseball third baseman best remembered for his time with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets...
.
Houston Astros
Lee would never play any games for the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
or any of their minor league teams, as he was left available in the 1984 Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
, which was on December 3, 1984. The Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
selected Lee in the draft.
Toronto Blue Jays
Lee spent the entire 1985 season with the Blue Jays, mostly appearing as a defensive replacement late in the game. He made his major league debut on April 10, 1985 as a pinch runner in a game against the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, in which Toronto won 1-0. He had his first official at-bat on April 24 against Kansas City, striking out against Mike Jones. Lee recorded his first major league hit in his eighth at-bat, singling against Rick Behenna
Rick Behenna
Richard Kipp Behenna is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves in 1983 and the Cleveland Indians from 1983 to 1985. Rick was part of one of the worst trades ever made by the Braves...
of the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
on June 2 at Exhibition Stadium
Exhibition Stadium
Canadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
. Lee finished the season with a .200 batting average with no home runs or RBI in 40 at-bats. With the Blue Jays winning the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
, they advanced to the 1985 ALCS, where Lee went hitless in one at-bat, as Toronto lost to the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
in seven games.
Lee would spend most of the 1986 season in the minor leagues, splitting time between the Knoxville Blue Jays and Syracuse Chiefs, where he hit a combined .256 with one home run. While with Toronto, Lee would hit his first major league home run, a solo shot off of Mike Smithson of the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on August 29, 1986. Lee appeared in 35 games with Toronto, hitting .205 with one home run and 7 RBI.
He would once again split the 1987 season between the majors and minors, appearing in 76 games with Syracuse, batting .283 in 251 at-bats, while batting .256 with one home run and 11 RBI with Toronto in 121 at-bats.
Lee would become the Blue Jays starting second baseman in 1988, playing in 116 games, while batting .291 with 2 HR and 38 RBI. In 1989, Lee would split time with Nelson Liriano
Nelson Liriano
Nelson Arturo Liriano Bonilla is a former Major League baseball player. He played for various teams from 1987 to 1998 batting a career average of .260 over those 11 seasons. In 1999, he played in one game for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan.Before turning professional, Liriano played amateur...
at second base, and occasionally fill in for shortstop Tony Fernandez
Tony Fernández
Octavio Antonio Fernández Castro , better known as Tony Fernández, is a former Major League Baseball player most noted for his defensive skills setting a record for shortstops with a .992 fielding percentage in 1989.-Career:...
. Lee hit .260 with 3 HR and 34 RBI while appearing in 99 games, helping Toronto win the division and advance to the playoffs. In the 1989 ALCS, Lee appeared in two games, batting .250 while scoring two runs as the Blue Jays lost to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in five games.
In 1990, Lee would get the majority of playing time at second base, batting .243 with 6 HR and 41 RBI, both career highs. In the off-season, the Blue Jays would shift Lee to become the starting shortstop, as they acquired second baseman Roberto Alomar
Roberto Alomar
Roberto "Robbie" Alomar Velázquez is a former Major League Baseball player , regarded by many as one of the best second basemen in MLB history. During his career he won more Gold Gloves than any other second baseman in history, and also won the second-most Silver Slugger Awards for a second...
in a deal with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. In 1991, Lee appeared in a career high 138 games, hitting .234 with no homers and 29 RBI. Lee struggled in the 1991 ALCS, hitting only .125 in the Blue Jays five game loss to the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
.
Lee returned as the Blue Jays starting shortstop in 1992, as he improved his hitting, batting .263 with 3 HR and 39 RBI. Toronto once again won their division, and faced the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in the 1992 ALCS. In six games, Lee hit .278 with 3 RBI, as Toronto defeated Oakland to advance to the 1992 World Series
1992 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 17, 1992 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaBraves fans had plenty to worry about in regard to both starting pitchers. Tom Glavine's post-season career had been less than stellar, including giving up eight runs in the second inning of Game 6 of the NLCS...
against the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Lee struggled in the World Series, hitting only .105, however, the Blue Jays would defeat the Braves in six games to win the championship.
On November 4, 1992, Lee was granted free agency.
Texas Rangers
On December 19, 1992, the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
signed Lee as a free agent to become the team's starting shortstop. After missing the Rangers first eight games, Lee made his Texas debut on April 16, 1993, getting a hit and a run in a 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
. Lee would battle injuries during the season, appearing in only 73 games, batting .220 with 1 HR and 12 RBI. He would rebound in the 1994 season, as Lee hit .278 with 2 HR and 38 RBI in 95 games with Texas before the season ended early due to the 1994 Baseball Strike
1994 baseball strike
The 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike was the eighth work stoppage in baseball history, as well as the fourth in-season work stoppage in 22 years...
. At the time of the strike, the Rangers were leading the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
.
On October 28, 1994, Lee became a free agent.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
signed Lee on April 18, 1995. He made his Cardinals debut on April 26, 1995 against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
. Lee earned a hit in his first, and only Cardinals at-bat, as he left the game in the fourth inning due to an injury. The Cardinals sent Lee to the minor leagues for a rehab assignment, where in 12 games, he hit .308, however, St. Louis released Lee on June 22. Lee announced his retirement shortly after.