Joe Lis

From BR Bullpen

Joseph Anthony Lis

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 0", Weight 195 lb.

Debut September 5, 1970
Final Game May 8, 1977
Born August 15, 1946 in Somerville, NJ USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Joe Lis was the consummate AAA star who could never win a regular major league job. In the minors he had 236 home runs while in the majors he had a 105 OPS+ in numerous cups of coffee.

Coming up with the woeful Philadelphia Phillies of the early 1970's as an outfielder-first baseman, Lis couldn't break into a lineup that included such sluggers as Greg Luzinski and Willie Montanez. He did open the 1971 season platooning in left field with Johnny Briggs.

In 1972 with Eugene, Lis hit 26 home runs in only 65 games, a .775 slugging mark. Future major league stars Mike Schmidt, Andre Thornton and Oscar Gamble were all on the same team, and all slugged between .525 and .550, much below Lis.

Traded to the Minnesota Twins in a deal that brought Cesar Tovar to Philadelphia following the 1972 season, Lis started the season at first base apparently due to an injury to Harmon Killebrew. When Killebrew went down again later in the season Lis took over as the regular first baseman, hitting .245 with nine HR in 103 games (his only season with more than 100 ML games played).

He was later dealt to the Cleveland Indians where he played sparingly.

After his playing days, he coached American Legion Baseball.

His son Joe Lis Jr., who had reached AAA as a player, succeeded him in that role.