Joe Lefebvre
Encyclopedia
Joseph Henry Lefebvre is a former American
professional baseball
player and coach. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball
with the New York Yankees
(1980), San Diego Padres
(1981-83) and Philadelphia Phillies
(1983-84 and 1986), primarily as an outfielder
. He currently serves as a senior scouting advisor for the San Francisco Giants
.
and Eckerd College
, playing with future Giants general manager
Brian Sabean
at both schools.
in the 3rd round of the 1977 draft
on the advice of scout Andy Michael
. He began his professional career with the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees, and by the end of 1977 he had already been promoted to the Double-A West Haven Yankees
. He continued to play for West Haven in 1978, batting .266 with 19 home runs while splitting time between the outfield and third base
.
Lefebvre returned to West Haven in 1979, where he produced a breakout season. He led the Eastern League champion Yankees in all three triple crown
categories, batting .292 with 21 home runs and 107 RBI. In 1980, he was promoted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
, and was called up to the majors in mid-May.
Ruppert Jones
to injury, and Lefebvre was summoned from the minor leagues to replace him. Right fielder
Bobby Brown
was moved to center, and Lefebvre was installed in right. In his first major league game, he hit a home run off Toronto Blue Jays
pitcher
Dave Stieb
.
Lefebvre continued to start on and off for the next the next few weeks, playing both right and left field
, sharing time in the outfield with Reggie Jackson
and Bobby Murcer
. Although he hit well, batting .261 with 8 home runs in 38 games, he was returned to the minor leagues when Jones was activated. He returned in mid-August, but was used mostly as a defensive replacement down the stretch for the American League East
champions. His only appearance in the ALCS
was in the 9th inning of game 3, when he went out to left field to replace Lou Piniella
, who had been pinch-hit
for by Jim Spencer
.
he was traded to the San Diego Padres along with Ruppert Jones and two pitchers for John Pacella
and Jerry Mumphrey
, who was tabbed as the Yankees' new starting center fielder. Instead of playing in New York, Lefebvre wound up being the Padres' starting right fielder. Although he often sat against left-handed pitchers in favor of Dave Edwards
, Lefebvre played in 86 games, batting .256 with 8 home runs and 31 RBI.
Prior to the 1982 season, the Padres traded shortstop
Ozzie Smith
and pitcher Steve Mura
to the St. Louis Cardinals
for shortstop Garry Templeton
and outfielder Sixto Lezcano
. Although Smith-for-Templeton made the headlines, it was the acquisition of Lezcano, who would be the Padres' regular right fielder, that was significant for Lefebvre, as it meant he would be relegated to backup duty. He did not take well to the role, as he batted just .157 in 47 games through mid-July, and he was briefly sent back to the minor leagues. He batted .344 in eight games, and was quickly back in the majors. He spent most of September as the Padres' starting third baseman, but he still wound up having what turned out to be his worst year, batting just .238 with 4 home runs in 102 games.
1983 started much the same for Lefebvre, backing up the outfield of Jones, Lezcano, and Gene Richards
. During the first few weeks of the season, he was used mostly as either a pinch hitter and defensive replacement, starting just two of the team's first 38 games. On May 22, the Padres traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies for left-handed reliever Sid Monge
.
, Von Hayes
, and Mike Schmidt
. In August, he supplanted Hayes as the starting right fielder, and he finished with his best season statistically, batting .306 with a career-high 39 RBI along with 8 home runs, as the Phillies won the National League East
.
Against the Los Angeles Dodgers
in the NLCS
, however, he found himself on the bench behind a familiar face: Sixto Lezcano
, who had been acquired from the Padres on August 31. The Phillies faced left-handed starters, Jerry Reuss
and Fernando Valenzuela
, in three of the four games, and Lefebvre wound up batting just three times in the series, driving in one run with a sacrifice fly
. A similar situation developed in the World Series
, as the Baltimore Orioles
sent southpaws Scott McGregor and Mike Flanagan to the mound in three of the five games. Lefebvre started twice, delivering an RBI double
in Game 4, as the Phillies lost in five games.
Lefebvre began the 1984 season as part of a right field platoon
with Lezcano, getting the lion's share of the playing time as a left-handed hitter. He was batting .250 on June 17 when he tore up his knee in a game against the Chicago Cubs
. After playing briefly for the Reading Phillies
later in the year, he missed the entire 1985 season, then played just 14 games for the Phillies in 1986. He retired on May 28, 1986.
By 1993, Sabean had moved on to the Giants, and in 1996 Lefebvre joined him in their organization, where he was hired as hitting coach for the Phoenix Firebirds
. From 1997-2001, he served as the team's minor league hitting coordinator, and in 2002 he joined the Giants' major league staff as their hitting coach. In November 2007, he moved into the Giants front office as a senior advisor for player personnel. He was named to his current position of senior scouting advisor in 2011. On August 20, 2011, it was announced that Lefebvre would additionally serve as assistant to current Giants hitting coach Hensley Meulens
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player and coach. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball
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...
with 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...
(1980), 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...
(1981-83) and 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...
(1983-84 and 1986), primarily as an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
. He currently serves as a senior scouting advisor for the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.
Early life
Lefebvre attended Concord High SchoolConcord High School (New Hampshire)
Concord High School is a high school in Concord, New Hampshire in the United States.- History :Concord's first public high school was established in 1846. The original building was the building on the corner of State and School Streets. A new school house was built in 1862, which stood until April...
and Eckerd College
Eckerd College
Eckerd College is a private 4-year coeducational liberal arts college at the southernmost tip of St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.- Campus :...
, playing with future Giants general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Brian Sabean
Brian Sabean
Brian R. Sabean is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the San Francisco Giants, a Major League Baseball franchise. He has held the job since 1997, when he replaced former General Manager Bob Quinn...
at both schools.
Minor leagues
Lefebvre was drafted by the New York YankeesNew 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...
in the 3rd round of the 1977 draft
1977 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1977 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The White Sox raised some brows when they passed on right-handed pitcher Bill Gullickson, a native of nearby Orland Park, IL, and selected outfielder Harold Baines as the number one...
on the advice of scout Andy Michael
Andy Michael
Andrew "Andy" Joseph Michael Sr. was a baseball memorabilia collector. He was known as "Mr. Baseball", "Duke", and "Flash". Born in Concord, New Hampshire, Michael served in the United States Army during World War II...
. He began his professional career with the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees, and by the end of 1977 he had already been promoted to the Double-A West Haven Yankees
West Haven Yankees
The West Haven Yankees were a minor league baseball team located in West Haven, Connecticut from 1972 until 1982. The team played in the Eastern League. Their home stadium was Quigley Stadium....
. He continued to play for West Haven in 1978, batting .266 with 19 home runs while splitting time between the outfield and third base
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
.
Lefebvre returned to West Haven in 1979, where he produced a breakout season. He led the Eastern League champion Yankees in all three triple crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
categories, batting .292 with 21 home runs and 107 RBI. In 1980, he was promoted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
, and was called up to the majors in mid-May.
1980: Major league debut
The Yankees had lost regular center fielderCenter fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
Ruppert Jones
Ruppert Jones
Ruppert Sanderson Jones is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers and California Angels...
to injury, and Lefebvre was summoned from the minor leagues to replace him. Right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown (outfielder)
Rogers Lee "Bobby" Brown , is a former Major League Baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from -. Brown played for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres In 502 games, Brown accumulated 313 hits, 26 home runs, 130 RBI, and a .245 batting...
was moved to center, and Lefebvre was installed in right. In his first major league game, he hit a home run off 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 ....
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Dave Stieb
Dave Stieb
David Andrew Stieb [STEEB] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Playing career:Born in Santa Ana, California, Stieb played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder...
.
Lefebvre continued to start on and off for the next the next few weeks, playing both right and left field
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
, sharing time in the outfield with Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
and Bobby Murcer
Bobby Murcer
Bobby Ray Murcer was an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played for 17 seasons between 1965 and 1983, mostly with the New York Yankees, whom he later rejoined as a longtime broadcaster...
. Although he hit well, batting .261 with 8 home runs in 38 games, he was returned to the minor leagues when Jones was activated. He returned in mid-August, but was used mostly as a defensive replacement down the stretch for 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...
champions. His only appearance in the ALCS
1980 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 8, 1980 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, MissouriThe series opener saw the Yankees throw their ace, Ron Guidry, against the Royals' Larry Gura. In the top of the second, the Bronx Bombers jumped out to a 2–0 lead when Rick Cerone and Lou Piniella smacked back-to-back...
was in the 9th inning of game 3, when he went out to left field to replace Lou Piniella
Lou Piniella
Louis Victor Piniella is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
, who had been pinch-hit
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
for by Jim Spencer
Jim Spencer
James Lloyd Spencer was a Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter....
.
Padres
Lefebvre looked to have a good chance at breaking camp with the Yankees in 1981, but with just a few days left in spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
he was traded to the San Diego Padres along with Ruppert Jones and two pitchers for John Pacella
John Pacella
John Lewis Pacella was a Major League Baseball pitcher from to for the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. Pacella had such an unusual delivery that at times his cap would fall off after a pitch.From Brooklyn, Pacella moved to Suffolk County...
and Jerry Mumphrey
Jerry Mumphrey
Jerry Wayne Mumphrey is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , San Diego Padres , New York Yankees , Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs ....
, who was tabbed as the Yankees' new starting center fielder. Instead of playing in New York, Lefebvre wound up being the Padres' starting right fielder. Although he often sat against left-handed pitchers in favor of Dave Edwards
Dave Edwards (baseball)
David Leonard Edwards is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of five seasons in the major leagues, from until .Edwards has two brothers who also played in the major leagues, twin brothers Mike and Marshall Edwards....
, Lefebvre played in 86 games, batting .256 with 8 home runs and 31 RBI.
Prior to the 1982 season, the Padres traded shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith
Osborne Earl "Ozzie" Smith is an American former baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1996...
and pitcher Steve Mura
Steve Mura
Stephen Andrew Mura , is a retired Major League Baseball player; a pitcher from -. He played for the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics....
to the 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...
for shortstop Garry Templeton
Garry Templeton
Garry Lewis Templeton, nicknamed "Jumpsteady", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991...
and outfielder Sixto Lezcano
Sixto Lezcano
Sixto Joaquin Lezcano Curras is a retired baseball player who played for 12 seasons as an outfielder in the Major Leagues between 1974 and 1985. He played for 5 different teams in the Majors and won a Gold Glove during his career.Lezcano was originally signed as an amateur in 1970 by the...
. Although Smith-for-Templeton made the headlines, it was the acquisition of Lezcano, who would be the Padres' regular right fielder, that was significant for Lefebvre, as it meant he would be relegated to backup duty. He did not take well to the role, as he batted just .157 in 47 games through mid-July, and he was briefly sent back to the minor leagues. He batted .344 in eight games, and was quickly back in the majors. He spent most of September as the Padres' starting third baseman, but he still wound up having what turned out to be his worst year, batting just .238 with 4 home runs in 102 games.
1983 started much the same for Lefebvre, backing up the outfield of Jones, Lezcano, and Gene Richards
Gene Richards (baseball)
Eugene Richards Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played eight seasons in the majors, from 1977 until 1984, for the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. He was born in Monticello, South Carolina.-See also:...
. During the first few weeks of the season, he was used mostly as either a pinch hitter and defensive replacement, starting just two of the team's first 38 games. On May 22, the Padres traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies for left-handed reliever Sid Monge
Sid Monge
Isidro "Sid" Monge Pedroza is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher with a ten-year career from 1975 to 1984...
.
Phillies
The Phillies used Lefebvre as something of a super-sub after his acquisition, as he started a number of games in both corner outfield positions and at third base, backing up Gary MatthewsGary Matthews
Gary Nathaniel Matthews Sr. , nicknamed Sarge, is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball. He now serves as a color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies. From through , Matthews played for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Seattle...
, Von Hayes
Von Hayes
Von Francis Hayes , was a Major League Baseball player from 1981 to 1992 for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, and California Angels...
, and Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt
Michael Jack Schmidt is a Hall of Fame third baseman popularly considered among the greatest third basemen in the history of Major League Baseball. He played his entire career for the Philadelphia Phillies....
. In August, he supplanted Hayes as the starting right fielder, and he finished with his best season statistically, batting .306 with a career-high 39 RBI along with 8 home runs, as the Phillies won the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
.
Against the Los Angeles Dodgers
1983 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League Western Division but lost in the National League Championship Series to the Philadelphia Phillies 3 games to 1.- Offseason :* December 28, 1982: Acquired Pat Zachry from the New York Mets for Jorge Orta...
in the NLCS
1983 National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series was a best-of-five matchup between the Western Division champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Eastern Division champion Philadelphia Phillies...
, however, he found himself on the bench behind a familiar face: Sixto Lezcano
Sixto Lezcano
Sixto Joaquin Lezcano Curras is a retired baseball player who played for 12 seasons as an outfielder in the Major Leagues between 1974 and 1985. He played for 5 different teams in the Majors and won a Gold Glove during his career.Lezcano was originally signed as an amateur in 1970 by the...
, who had been acquired from the Padres on August 31. The Phillies faced left-handed starters, Jerry Reuss
Jerry Reuss
Jerry Reuss -- pronounced "royce" -- is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the United States, who had a 22-year career from to ....
and Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
, in three of the four games, and Lefebvre wound up batting just three times in the series, driving in one run with a sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
. A similar situation developed in the World Series
1983 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 1983 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandJohn Denver, whose Thank God I'm a Country Boy was played at the seventh-inning stretch of each Orioles home game, sang the National Anthem prior to this game....
, as the Baltimore Orioles
1983 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses...
sent southpaws Scott McGregor and Mike Flanagan to the mound in three of the five games. Lefebvre started twice, delivering an RBI double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
in Game 4, as the Phillies lost in five games.
Lefebvre began the 1984 season as part of a right field platoon
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
with Lezcano, getting the lion's share of the playing time as a left-handed hitter. He was batting .250 on June 17 when he tore up his knee in a game against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. After playing briefly for the Reading Phillies
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
later in the year, he missed the entire 1985 season, then played just 14 games for the Phillies in 1986. He retired on May 28, 1986.
Career overview
In 6 seasons he played in 447 games and had 1,091 at bats, 139 runs, 281 hits, 52 doubles, 13 triples, 31 home runs, 130 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 139 walks, .258 batting average, .344 on-base percentage, .414 slugging percentage, 452 total bases, 8 sacrifice hits, 7 sacrifice flies and 22 intentional walks.Post-playing career
In 1987, Lefebvre was given a coaching job in the Phillies' organization. He remained with the Phillies for three seasons, then in 1990 he was brought to the Yankees by old friend Sabean, who was working as the team's scouting director. He stayed with the Yankees organization from 1990-95, where he served as both coach and roving hitting instructor.By 1993, Sabean had moved on to the Giants, and in 1996 Lefebvre joined him in their organization, where he was hired as hitting coach for the Phoenix Firebirds
Phoenix Firebirds
The Phoenix Firebirds, formerly the Phoenix Giants, were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Phoenix, Arizona, USA from 1958-1959, and 1966 until 1997....
. From 1997-2001, he served as the team's minor league hitting coordinator, and in 2002 he joined the Giants' major league staff as their hitting coach. In November 2007, he moved into the Giants front office as a senior advisor for player personnel. He was named to his current position of senior scouting advisor in 2011. On August 20, 2011, it was announced that Lefebvre would additionally serve as assistant to current Giants hitting coach Hensley Meulens
Hensley Meulens
Hensley Filemon Acasio Meulens is a former professional baseball player and current hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants. He played from to in Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, and the Korea Baseball Organization...
.