Buzz Capra – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Lee William “Buzz” Capra made his mark in Major League Baseball, even if his career was a bit on the short side. He pitched for the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves from 1971 to 1977.

Capra grew up in Chicago, where a neighbor gave him the nickname “Buzz” when he was a kid. Later, he’d pull off one of baseball’s wildest single-season pitching feats in the 1970s.

In 1974, Capra led the National League with a 2.28 ERA and posted a 16-8 record for the Atlanta Braves, earning All-Star honors. That year was really the peak of his career, but it also kicked off the arm issues that would end his playing days just a few years down the road.

Buzz Capra’s story has a little of everything—rising through the Mets system, shining in Atlanta, and then shifting into coaching. His journey kind of shows how quickly athletic glory can fade, but also how someone can stick around in the game by teaching and mentoring the next wave of players.

Early Life and Background

Lee William Capra was born October 1, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois. He caught the baseball bug early.

His childhood nickname and his time at Illinois State University laid the groundwork for his pro career.

Family and Origins

Capra came into the world on October 1, 1947, in Chicago. His family had Italian roots, which showed up later when he signed his first pro contract.

Capra’s dad played a big role in getting him into baseball. When Buzz was six, his dad would toss baseballs to him outside their building, using a small wooden bat.

An older neighbor watched these sessions. He noticed Buzz’s wild, spinning swing and said he looked like a buzz saw.

That’s how “Buzz” stuck. This moment outside their apartment pretty much gave him the nickname he’d carry all the way to the majors.

Later, his Italian dad got involved in contract talks. When a scout came to sign Buzz, his father tried to get more money, which left Buzz a bit embarrassed.

Growing Up in Chicago, IL

Capra grew up in Chicago, sharpening his baseball skills in the city’s tough youth leagues. The city’s energy gave him plenty of chances to play and get better.

His dad and he would practice outside their building. Those informal sessions showed just how much the family cared about his baseball dreams.

Chicago’s urban scene pushed Capra to face all kinds of competition. That environment really built up his drive and work ethic.

Being a kid in Chicago in the ‘50s and ‘60s meant baseball was everywhere. The city’s passion for the game probably nudged him to take baseball seriously.

High School and College Baseball

Capra went to Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago. He got some solid coaching there and kept working on his pitching.

After high school, he chose Illinois State University, where he kept playing ball. That choice turned out to be crucial for his career.

In 1969, Capra helped Illinois State win the college championship. Scouts started to notice him after that.

The New York Mets picked him in the 27th round of the 1969 draft. Capra was a five-foot-eleven righty with something to prove.

That college title really set him up for pro baseball. It showed everyone he could handle pressure and tough competition.

Path to the Major Leagues

Buzz Capra started his pro journey at Illinois State University, where he worked on his pitching before jumping into the draft. The New York Mets took a chance on him in the 27th round of the 1969 amateur draft, sending him into their minor league system.

Illinois State Standout Years

Capra got his baseball foundation at Illinois State University. His college days set the stage for what was coming.

He stood 5’10” and weighed 168 pounds back then. Scouts liked what they saw.

After Lane Tech High School, Capra picked Illinois State to keep playing and learning. The coaches there helped him fine-tune his pitching.

His college stats were good enough to grab the Mets’ attention in the 1969 draft.

Draft and Minor League Development

The Mets grabbed Capra in the 27th round of the 1969 June Amateur Draft. That late pick meant he had to grind it out in the minors.

Capra spent two years in the Mets’ minor league system, from 1969 to 1971. He worked on new pitches and learned how to get pro hitters out.

The coaches in the system helped him get ready for the majors. His progress wasn’t flashy, but he kept moving up.

By 1971, Capra earned his first shot at the big leagues. He debuted on September 15, 1971, facing the Chicago Cubs in Illinois.

New York Mets Playing Career

Buzz Capra made his big league debut with the New York Mets in September 1971 and stayed with them through 1973. He pitched in 41 games, won 5, saved 4, and was part of the 1973 National League Championship team.

MLB Debut and Early Games

Capra’s first MLB game came on September 15, 1971, at age 23. The Mets had picked him up in the 27th round out of Illinois State.

He started out as a relief pitcher and showed some promise. Capra threw and batted right-handed, standing 5’10” and weighing 168 pounds.

In 1971, he didn’t see much action, just a September call-up. In 1972, he tried to carve out a spot in the bullpen.

On May 13, 1972, Capra pitched a 1-0 win and even drove in the only run. That day, he showed he could help out on both sides of the game.

1973 National League Championship Team

Capra played a part in the Mets’ wild 1973 season. The team finished 82-79 but still managed to win the NL East.

That year’s roster had guys like Cleon Jones, who hit .290. Capra chipped in as a reliever during the playoffs.

The Mets took down the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS and made it to the World Series against the Oakland A’s.

They lost the Series in seven games, but Capra’s work in the bullpen helped them get there. After that season, the Mets sold him to the Atlanta Braves in March 1974.

Key Moments and Historical Highlights

Capra’s main impact with the Mets came during his relief appearances from 1971-1973. He notched 4 saves in that stretch.

His 1972 season stood out, especially with his complete game win where he drove in the game’s only run. That game showed he could do a little bit of everything.

He pitched in 41 games for the Mets. Those years helped him get ready for what was coming in Atlanta.

The Mets sold Capra’s contract to the Braves on March 26, 1974. That move ended up changing his career for the better, as he became an All-Star and led the league in ERA his first year with Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves Era and Peak Performance

Buzz Capra hit his stride after the Braves bought his contract from the Mets in March 1974. His 1974 season is still one of the best by any Braves pitcher before the team’s dynasty years. He led the NL in ERA and made the All-Star team.

Breakout 1974 Season

Capra’s move to Atlanta totally changed his career. The new team gave him a real shot as a starter.

In 1974, he went 16-8 and led all of baseball with a 2.28 ERA. That was a huge jump from his Mets days.

Winning the ERA title put Capra at the top of the league. He became the ace of the Braves’ rotation that year.

Key 1974 Statistics:

• Record: 16-8
• ERA: 2.28 (NL Leader)
• Team: Atlanta Braves
• League Standing: Major League ERA Leader

Capra pitched way more innings that season. The Braves trusted him with a much bigger role.

NL All-Star Selection and Honors

That 1974 season got Capra a spot on the National League All-Star team. It was the highlight of his pro career.

The All-Star selection proved he belonged among the best pitchers in baseball. Leading the league in ERA made him a pretty easy pick.

Managers and players around the NL noticed Capra’s impact. His steady pitching in the first half of 1974 really opened some eyes.

His ERA title and All-Star nod made 1974 Capra’s career year. He joined the ranks of the league’s top arms that season.

Major Games and Milestones

Capra put together some big outings with Atlanta. Most of his best work came during the 1974 campaign.

He kept his ERA low all year, which isn’t easy. Capra held his own against some of the NL’s toughest lineups.

Those 16 wins in 1974 were a career high. It showed he could handle the grind as a starter.

His efforts that year made him a Braves fan favorite. That season still stands out in franchise history, long before the team’s 1990s glory.

Lingering Injuries and Challenges

After 1974, things started getting rough for Capra. Injuries and inconsistency slowed him down.

His arm troubles cut into his innings and effectiveness. He just couldn’t match that breakout year.

Capra stayed with the Braves through 1977 but never got back to his All-Star form. The Braves let him go in March 1978, then briefly brought him back before releasing him again in April 1979.

He finished his career with a 31-37 record and a 3.87 ERA over seven seasons.

Retirement and Transition from Professional Baseball

Buzz Capra’s pro career came to a quick end in 1977 after shoulder injuries got the best of him. When the Braves released him, he tried to come back, but eventually he stepped away from playing and went into business for a while before finding his way back to baseball as a coach.

Final MLB Season and Decision to Retire

Capra’s last season with the Atlanta Braves was 1977. His numbers had dropped off since his big 1974 season, mostly because of a shoulder injury that started bugging him in 1975.

That injury just wouldn’t go away. By the end of 1977, the Braves released him during spring training in 1978.

Capra didn’t really choose to retire—his arm just wouldn’t let him keep pitching at the top level. He was only 30 when he stepped away, which feels pretty young for a pitcher who had led the league in ERA just a few years earlier.

Attempted Comebacks

After the Braves cut him loose in 1978, Capra sold snow blowers and lawn mowers for a year. That was his first real break from baseball since 1969.

Even though his shoulder injury basically ended his playing days, Capra didn’t stay away from the game for long. He came back, but this time as a coach and instructor.

Capra spent over twenty years coaching pitchers in the minors. He worked with organizations like the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and Phillies, passing on what he’d learned to young pitchers coming up.

Coaching Career and Life After Baseball

After he retired from Major League Baseball in 1977, Buzz Capra jumped into coaching and instructor gigs with several organizations. He spent time as a pitching coach in the minor league systems for the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves. In 1995, he even managed the Spartanburg Alley Cats.

Minor League Coaching Roles

Capra kicked off his post-playing days by going back to familiar ground as a pitching coach. He joined the New York Mets minor league system, the same group that drafted him back in 1969.

This gave him a chance to pass on his big league experience to up-and-coming pitchers.

He also took on coaching duties with the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system. Capra used his experience as a former National League ERA leader to help young pitchers sharpen their skills and figure out the game.

The Atlanta Braves brought him in to coach in their minor league system too. Since he’d had his best season as a player with the Braves in 1974, he kept strong ties with the organization during his coaching years.

In 1995, Capra decided to manage the Spartanburg Alley Cats. The team finished with 7 wins and 8 losses that year, showing he was willing to step up as a leader, not just a pitching coach.

Pitching Coach at Northeastern Illinois University

Capra branched out into college baseball as well. He became a pitching coach at Northeastern Illinois University, guiding college players as they worked to develop their skills and maybe aim for a pro career.

He got to mentor student-athletes juggling classes and baseball dreams. With his major league background, he offered valuable advice to college pitchers trying to move up.

Coaching at the university showed how much Capra cared about player development at all levels of the game. He could relate to college players, since he’d played at Illinois State University before going pro.

Philadelphia Phillies and Mets Organizations

Capra’s coaching with both the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets showed how adaptable he was as an instructor. He worked with prospects all over their minor league systems, from rookie ball to Triple-A.

His own success as a big league pitcher made him a great resource for teaching advanced pitching concepts. He knew firsthand how tough it can be to move up from the minors to the majors.

The Mets especially got a boost from his experience, since he’d started his pro career in their system. He helped young pitchers navigate the same path he once took.

Contributions to Player Development

After those formal coaching jobs, Capra kept sharing his baseball know-how as a private coach. These days, you’ll find him at Elite Sports Training Center in St. Charles, Illinois, working with players of all ages.

He builds his instruction around fundamentals and mixes in stories and tips from his playing days. Capra tries to keep things practical and grounded.

He’s stuck with player development for decades since retiring. Working with young athletes, he keeps passing along baseball wisdom to the next generation.

Legacy, Honors, and Personal Life

Buzz Capra’s baseball legacy really centers on his incredible 1974 All-Star season with the Atlanta Braves, when he led the National League in ERA. After his playing days, he spent over twenty years coaching in the minors and helping future big leaguers grow.

Career Achievements and Awards

Capra’s 1974 season stands out as his top achievement. He posted a 2.28 ERA—best in the National League—and went 16-8 for the Braves.

That year, he earned a spot as a National League All-Star. He struck out 137 batters over 217 innings in 39 games.

He started 27 games in 1974 and finished 11 of them. It was the only year he threw more than 200 innings.

His major league career lasted six years, from 1971 to 1977. He played for the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves.

Recognition in Baseball History

Capra found himself in an odd bit of baseball history during the 1973 National League Championship Series. In the middle of the infamous brawl between Pete Rose and Bud Harrelson during Game 3, Cincinnati’s Pedro Borbon accidentally grabbed Capra’s Mets cap.

When Borbon realized it, he ripped the cap apart with his teeth. That moment became a quirky part of playoff lore.

His 1974 ERA title stands out as one of the rare times a pitcher led the National League in that category during his era. The Braves had just picked him up from the Mets in March 1974, right before he made that mark.

Community Involvement and Personal Endeavors

After he retired as a player, Capra jumped right into helping young baseball talent grow. He took on the pitching coach job at Northeastern Illinois University from 1981 to 1982.

He spent over 20 years coaching in the minor leagues, moving through several organizations. Capra worked with teams like the Pulaski Braves and Anderson Braves.

He also put in time with the Jackson Mets and Spartanburg Phillies. At different points, Capra coached in the farm systems for the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.

His last minor league coaching gigs were with the Capital City Bombers and St. Lucie Mets. Later on, he landed at the Fox Valley Sports Academy in Elgin, Illinois.

There, he taught baseball fundamentals to youth players. Pretty cool way to stay connected to the game, right?