Lee Elia, baseball player, 1966-1968

Lee Elia

Born: 7/16/1937 in Philadelphia, PA, USA

Died: 7/9/2025 in Odessa, FL, USA

MLB Debut: 1966-04-23 | Final Game: 1968-09-13

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 175 lbs

Full name: Lee Constantine Elia

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Biography

Lee Elia was a professional baseball player who played as a position player during his career from 1966 to 1968. Born in 1937, Elia made his mark in Major League Baseball primarily with the Chicago Cubs. Over the course of 95 games, he recorded 43 hits, which included three home runs and 25 runs batted in, culminating in a career batting average of .203. Despite facing stiff competition during a period marked by evolving offensive play styles, Elia's contributions on the field reflected the grittiness and determination characteristic of players of his era. Elia's playing career, while relatively brief, intersected with a transformative time in baseball history. The late 1960s witnessed a shift in the game, moving towards a greater emphasis on power hitting and advanced strategies. Although he did not achieve significant statistical acclaim, Elia's persistence and experience in the league later positioned him for a successful transition into coaching and managerial roles, where he would further influence the game. His journey through the majors and subsequent impact on baseball culture remains a testament to the diverse pathways players can take within the sport.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
95 212 17 43 5 2 3 25 0 15 45 0.203 0.262 0.288 0.550 -631.2

Career AVG .203 vs. league average .243 across their career seasons — 16.4% below league average.

Career OBP .262 vs. league average .304 across their career seasons — 13.9% below league average.

Career SLG .288 vs. league average .358 across their career seasons — 19.7% below league average.

Career OPS 0.550 vs. league average 0.663 across their career seasons — 17.1% below league average.

Season-by-Season Batting

Year Team Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG Lg AVG Lg OBP Lg SLG Lg OPS PIV
1966 CHW AL 80 195 16 40 5 2 3 22 0 15 39 0.205 .248 (-17%) .309 (-14%) .376 (-21%) .685 (-18%) -631.2
1968 CHC NL 15 17 1 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 6 0.176 — — — — 0.0

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
2B 1 0 1 0 0 0
3B 1 1 1 1 0 0
SS 77 64 104 187 14 39

Season-by-Season Fielding

Year Team Pos G GS PO A E DP
1966 CHA SS 75 64 103 186 14 39
1968 CHN 2B 1 0 1 0 0 0
1968 CHN 3B 1 1 1 1 0 0
1968 CHN SS 2 0 1 1 0 0

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Second Base 1
Third Base 1
Shortstop 77

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
University of Delaware Newark DE 1958