Carlos Lezcano, a former Chicago Cubs outfielder who later had a lengthy career as a minor league manager, has died at the age of 69. According to a Puerto Rican news outlet, Lezcano passed away after a long battle with cancer.
A native of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Lezcano played college baseball at Florida State before making his major league debut with the Cubs in 1980. He won the starting center fielder job on Opening Day but struggled offensively during his rookie season, batting .205 in 42 games. He appeared in only seven major league games the following year, which were the last of his playing career.
After his playing days ended, Lezcano transitioned into coaching and managing in the minor leagues. He managed various affiliate teams for the Mariners and Giants organizations, notably serving as the first professional manager for a young Alex Rodriguez. Lezcano also had considerable success in the Puerto Rican Winter League, where he is one of only five people to have won both the league’s Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year awards.
His final managing role in affiliated baseball was with the Lake Elsinore Storm from 2007 to 2011. He continued to manage in independent leagues and in Puerto Rico in subsequent years.
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