“They Released Me for Barry Bonds” – Lee Mazzilli Tells All

Lee Mazzilli joins Jay Horwitz for a powerful, emotional, and funny conversation on his journey from a kid in Brooklyn to becoming a Mets Hall of Famer. Mazzilli opens up about being the face of the franchise in the late 1970s, the trade that shocked baseball, the improbable reunion with the ’86 Mets, and the unbelievable moment when his release opened the door for Barry Bonds. He also shares deeply personal stories about his father’s unwavering support, his brother’s legacy, and the family bond behind the Mazzilli Foundation. This is one of the most complete Mets stories we’ve ever told — legacy, loyalty, heartbreak, triumph, and a homecoming decades in the making. Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open 00:21 – Jay Intro 01:10 – Lee Mazzilli on Growing Up in Brooklyn 03:40 – Becoming “The Face of the Mets” 06:15 – The Pressure and Fame of Late-70s Mets Baseball 08:54 – Getting Traded & How It Changed Him 12:20 – The Release That Led to Barry Bonds 15:55 – Returning Home to the ’86 Mets 18:40 – Almost Being Traded for Ray Knight 21:10 – Why the ’86 Clubhouse Was Different 24:05 – Mazzilli on His Dad: Love, Support & Zero Criticism 27:25 – The Passing of His Brother & The Mazzilli Foundation 30:50 – What the Hall of Fame Call Meant 33:10 – Gratitude, Legacy & Final Thoughts / Check out http://m.mlb.com/video for our full archive of videos, and subscribe on YouTube for the best, exclusive MLB content:    / mlb   About MLB.com: Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced on January 19, 2000, that the 30 Major League club owners voted unanimously to centralize all of Baseball's internet operations into an independent technology company. Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) was formed and charged with developing, building and managing the most comprehensive baseball experience available on the internet. In August 2002, MLB.com streamed the first-ever live, full length MLB game when the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees faced off at Yankee Stadium. Since that time, millions of baseball fans around the world have subscribed to MLB.TV, the live video streaming product that airs every game in HD to nearly 400 different devices. MLB.com also provides an array of mobile apps for fans to choose from, including At Bat, the highest-grossing iOS sports app of all-time. MLB.com features a stable of club beat reporters and award-winning national columnists, the largest contingent of baseball reporters under one roof, who deliver over 100 original articles every day. MLB.com also offers extensive historical information and footage, online ticket sales, official baseball merchandise, authenticated memorabilia and collectibles and fantasy games. Major League Baseball consists of 30 teams split between the American and National Leagues. The American League, originally founded in 1901, consists of the following teams: Baltimore Orioles; Boston Red Sox; Chicago White Sox; Cleveland Indians; Detroit Tigers; Houston Astros; Kansas City Royals; Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Minnesota Twins; New York Yankees; Oakland Athletics; Seattle Mariners; Tampa Bay Rays; Texas Rangers; and Toronto Blue Jays. The National League, originally founded in 1876, consists of the following teams: Arizona Diamondbacks; Atlanta Braves; Chicago Cubs; Cincinnati Reds; Colorado Rockies; Los Angeles Dodgers; Miami Marlins; Milwaukee Brewers; New York Mets; Philadelphia Phillies; Pittsburgh Pirates; San Diego Padres; San Francisco Giants; St. Louis Cardinals; and Washington Nationals. Visit MLB.com: http://mlb.mlb.com Subscribe to MLB.TV: mlb.tv Download MLB.com At Bat: http://mlb.mlb.com/mobile/atbat Get tickets: http://mlb.mlb.com/tickets Official MLB Merchandise: http://mlb.mlb.com/shop Join the conversation! Twitter:   / mlb   Facebook:   / mlb   Instagram:   / mlb   Google+: https://plus.google.com/+MLB Tumblr: http://drawntomlb.com/ Pinterest:   / mlbam   Category Sports