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capra, buzz capra, 1976 Topps #153, Braves

Player: Capra, Buzz

Card: 1976 Topps #153

Position: RHP

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"(Buzz) Capra, 26, is a fidgety, craftsman who mixes off-speed breaking pitches with a sneaky fastball. A righthander, he dips so low off the mound that he seems to deliver the ball from the vicinity of his kneecaps." - Columnist Ray Kennedy in Sports Illustrated (July 8, 1974)

Lee William Capra (born October 1, 1947 in Chicago, IL), is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves, from 1971 to 1977. Nicknamed "Buzz", by a neighbor as a child, Capra was a National League (NL) All-Star and the NL earned run average (ERA) leader in 1974.

Buzz Capra began his major league career with the New York Mets in September 1971. He pitched 41 games over two-plus seasons with the Metsies, winning 5 while saving 4. On May 13, 1972, he recorded a 1-0 victory in a game in which his first RBI provided the only run, driving in Cleon Jones with a single against Hall of Famer Juan Marichal of the San Francisco Giants.

Buzz was a member of the Mets' 1973 National League championship team, though he did not make a postseason appearance. He did still earn a claim to fame during it. During the infamous brawl between Pete Rose and Bud Harrelson in Game 3 of the NLCS, it was Buzz's Mets cap that Pedro Borbon inadvertently put on at the end of the fracas. Upon realizing his mistake, Pedro tore it to shreds… with his teeth.

In 1974, Buzz pitched in the game where Hank Aaron tied Babe Ruth's HR record, recording a save.

After injury to his arm forced his retirement in 1979, Buzz was pitching coach at Northeastern Illinois University in 1981-1982, then spent over twenty years as a professional pitching coach in several minor league systems, most recently with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.

(excerpted from Baseball Almanac, BR Bullpen & Wikipedia)

morecards

1975 SSPC #1

tourstops


Capra is part of the Born in Chicago TourNext Stop


Lee is part of the All-Star Player Tour – Go to the Next Stop


“Buzz” is part of the Great Italian American Player Nicknames Tour – Go to the Next Stop


Buzz is also part of the Braves Players Tour – Go To the Next Stop


See Buzz’ baseball cards at TCDB


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