Joplin, Mo. — The Joplin Blasters have tabbed former major-leaguer and veteran skipper Carlos Lezcano as the club’s skipper in its inaugural 2015 season.
Lezcano, a native of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, comes to the Blasters with an extensive background in baseball. He starred at Florida State University before being signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1977. A career outfielder, he made his major league debut on April 10, 1980 as the Cubs’ opening-day center fielder. Lezcano spent 7 seasons in the minor leagues and amassed a .264 career batting average in 604 games. He spent the majority of his career with the Cubs, but also spent time in the Detroit and Oakland organizations.
Lezcano began his managerial career when he took over Seattle’s rookie-league affiliate in 1992. Since then, he has spent 21 seasons as a manager tallying 1,012 victories and a .525 winning percentage in affiliated baseball. He has managed in the Seattle, San Francisco, Milwaukee, and San Diego organizations, as well as in the Mexican League and the Puerto Rican Winter League. He was the skipper of the American Association’s El Paso Diablos during the second half of the 2013 season.
“I am extremely excited to be joining the Blasters’ organization and can’t wait for the inaugural season in Joplin,” said Lezcano. “I want to thank the Suarez family and entire ownership group for giving me this opportunity. I know that there is a spotlight on us, and I look forward to putting a strong team on the field every night that the fans of this community can be proud of.”
“After a lengthy process that saw numerous qualified applicants, we are tremendously excited to have Carlos aboard and to lead our team on the field,” said Blasters GM Shawn Suarez. “He possesses an outstanding track record in professional baseball, and is the right person to lead the Blasters in this new age.”
