Sixto Lezcano

Sixto Joaquin Lezcano Curras (born November 28, 1953) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 12 seasons (1974–1985). He played for five MLB teams and won a Gold Glove during his career.

Born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Lezcano attended Colegio San Jose High School in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.

Playing career In 1970, at age 16, Lezcano was signed as an amateur free agent by the Milwaukee Brewers. After spending four seasons in their minor league system, he reached the big leagues for the first time in 1974; Lezcano made his big league debut on September 10, 1974. Lezcano showed a particularly strong throwing arm in right field, and led American League (AL) outfielders in assists, in 1978.

Lezcano’s best offensive numbers came in 1979, when he finished among the top 10 in the AL in batting average and home runs, and finished with the third-highest slugging percentage in the American League. Lezcano had one base hit in eight at-bats in the Phillies' 5-game World Series loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Lezcano continued to platoon with Philadelphia in 1984 before leaving the team as a free agent, following the season. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1985 and served as one of the team's primary pinch hitters. During spring training 1986, Pittsburgh released Lezcano, ending his Major League career.

In 1,291 games over 12 seasons, Lezcano posted a .271 batting average (1,122-for-4,134) with 560 runs, 184 doubles, 34 triples, 148 home runs, 591 runs batted in (RBI), 37 stolen bases, 576 bases on balls.360 on-base percentage, and .440 slugging percentage. Defensively, he recorded a .980 fielding percentage playing at all three outfield positions. In the 1983 postseason, Lezcano hit .238 (5-for-21) in eight games with two runs, one home run, two RBI, and one walk.

In , Lezcano joined the Yokohama Taiyō Whales of the Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPBL); however, he achieved only limited success while playing in Japan.

Coaching career Lezcano was the batting coach for the Danville Braves (the Rookie league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves).

Personal life Lezcano’s cousin, Carlos Lezcano, played two seasons in MLB for the Chicago Cubs.