Sunday, December 28, 2014

1980 Profile: Joe Lefebvre

"A second full season at West Haven saw Joe come into his own. He led the Eastern Division champs in almost every offensive category, including a league leading total of 107 RBIs. This native of New Hampshire also possesses a very strong throwing arm in the outfield."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"This spring there were those who felt that Joe Lefebvre was still a year away from the major leagues. After all, he had spent the entire season at the AA level where he excelled, hitting .292 with 21 home runs and 107 RBI. He did get called up to triple-A in time for the playoffs, but he only appeared in nine games for Columbus.
So Joe began the 1980 season in Columbus and got off to an excellent start, leading the International League in home runs through the first month of the season. Then Oscar Gamble broke a toe and Lefebvre was called up to the Yankees.
Joe spent his first week in New York on the bench, but once he got into the lineup he was a tough man to replace. The 24-year-old outfielder hit home runs in each of his first two games, tying an American League record, and reeled off a six-game hitting streak. He also electrified fans and terrified baserunners with his strong, accurate throwing arm.
The Penacock, New Hampshire native has shown he can play in the major leagues and people who were not sure how to say his name have learned quickly that the proper pronunciation is Le-FAY. That's a name that should be familiar to Yankee fans for quite some time."

-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook

"Lefebvre had his most productive professional season at West Haven last year. He led the Yanks in batting (.292), home runs (21) and RBIs (107). His homer total was fifth in the Eastern League and his RBI total tied him for the league lead. He was named to the Eastern League's All-Star team in the outfield. Called up to Columbus for the AAA playoffs to replace the injured Darryl Jones, Joe went 9-for-33 (.273), hitting safely in seven of nine games. Three of his hits were triples.
Joe appears on the Yankees major league roster for the first time as he enters his fourth year in pro ball. He started his career at Fort Lauderdale in 1977 after being signed by the late Jack Butterfield. Joe batted .308 in 48 games after getting out of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg and was promoted to West Haven (AA) at the end of '77, batting .364 (8-for-22) in six games. He played a full year at West Haven in 1978, batting .266 and leading the Eastern League with 102 runs scored. He also tied for the league lead with 11 triples.
Lefebvre played baseball and basketball at Concord (New Hampshire) High School and was MVP in baseball in his junior and senior years. He played baseball at Eckerd and was a first-team All-American as a sophomore, and was the MVP of the Division II College World Series, also as a sophomore. He's one year away from a degree in recreation and sociology.
Joe is of French Canadian ancestry. He enjoys working with disadvantaged children."

-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide

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