Lee ‘Buzz’ Capra, former Mets pitcher and Braves All-Star dead at 78

Former MLB All-Star Lee “Buzz” Capra died on Monday, Illinois State University, his alma mater, confirmed. 

He was 78.

Capra was a 27th-round pick by the Mets in the 1969 draft after his time at Illinois State. 

“When I was hired as head coach of the Redbird Baseball program, Buzz was one of the first people to reach out, wish me luck and offer any assistance he could provide,” ISU head baseball coach Steve Holm said, per the school. 

Buzz Capra of the New York Mets on March 1, 1972. Sporting News via Getty Images

“Buzz is a legend in our program and one of the best baseball players to ever wear a Redbird uniform. He was a Hall of Famer, national champion, longtime MLB professional and coach and his legacy in the game of baseball will live on. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and former ISU teammates at this difficult time.”

Capra made his big league debut with the Mets in 1971, making appearances in three seasons before having his rights sold to the Braves before the 1974 season. 

He had a career season that year, making the National League All-Star team for Atlanta while posting a 16-8 record and winning the NL ERA title with a 2.28 mark. He also received down-ballot Cy Young and MVP votes.

An arm injury would derail his career shortly after, limiting Capra to just 62 more big league appearances after his All-Star campaign.

Braves Alumni Buzz Capra prior to the MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers on August 12, 2018 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Capra retired after being released by the Braves before the 1978 season, finishing his career with a 3.87 ERA across 544 ⅓ innings. 

After his playing days, Capra would coach baseball at Northeastern Illinois University and later served as a minor league pitching coach for various organizations, including the Braves, Mets, Expos, Phillies and White Sox.