Lee Tinsley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lee Tinsley |
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Tinsley (left) talking to Ken Griffey Jr.
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: March 4, 1969 Shelbyville, Kentucky, U.S. |
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| Died: January 12, 2023 (aged 53) Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 6, 1993, for the Seattle Mariners | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 28, 1997, for the Seattle Mariners | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .241 | ||
| Home runs | 13 | ||
| Runs batted in | 79 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As coach
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Lee Owen Tinsley (born March 4, 1969 – died January 12, 2023) was an American professional baseball player. He was an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies from 1993 to 1997. After his playing career, he became a coach in MLB for seven seasons.
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Playing Baseball
Lee Tinsley started his baseball journey after being picked in the first round of the 1987 MLB draft. He was drafted right out of Shelby County High School in Shelbyville, Kentucky. He began playing professionally that same year with the Medford A's.
Early Teams
In 1989 and 1990, Lee played for the Madison Muskies. He then moved up to the AA Huntsville Stars in 1991. Later that year, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians. He played for their minor league teams, including the Canton–Akron Indians and the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Major League Debut
The Seattle Mariners picked up Tinsley in 1992. He spent most of 1993 with the Calgary Cannons, where he played very well. Lee made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on April 6, 1993. He played against the Toronto Blue Jays.
He got his very first MLB hit on April 11, 1993, against the Baltimore Orioles. It was a pinch-hit single that helped his team tie the game. On July 21, 1993, Lee hit his first home run off of Steve Farr of the New York Yankees.
Time with Red Sox and Phillies
In 1994, Tinsley was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He had a great year, stealing 13 bases without being caught. This tied a club record! In 1995, he continued his success. He started the season with a 14-game hitting streak. He also had a career-best 15-game hitting streak later that year. He finished 1995 with a strong .284 batting average.
In 1996, Lee was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. He played 31 games for them before being traded back to the Red Sox in June. He finished the season hitting .245 for Boston.
Return to Seattle
Before the 1997 season, Tinsley was traded back to the Seattle Mariners. This season was tough for him because of injuries to his right elbow. He played in 49 games, but his injuries kept him from playing as much as he wanted. After 1997, he did not return to Major League Baseball.
Later Playing Years
After leaving MLB, Lee Tinsley continued to play baseball in minor leagues. He played for teams connected to the Anaheim Angels, Montreal Expos, and Cincinnati Reds. In 2000, he played in independent leagues and then in the Mexican League.
Coaching Career
After his playing days, Lee Tinsley became a baseball coach. He started as a hitting coach for the El Paso Diablos in 2001. This team was a minor league affiliate for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
He later worked for the Angels as an outfield instructor. In 2003, he returned to the Diamondbacks organization. From 2006 to 2008, he was the first-base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
On December 1, 2008, Tinsley became the first-base coach for the Seattle Mariners. He held this job until 2010. From 2011 to 2013, he worked for the Chicago Cubs. He was their minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator. In 2014, he joined the Cincinnati Reds as an assistant hitting coach. He stayed with the Reds until 2015.
Personal Life
Lee Tinsley had three children. He passed away on January 12, 2023, in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 53.
See also
In Spanish: Lee Tinsley para niños
