Career Timeline of Lee Elia: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 11, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Lee Elia made an impact.

Lee Elia is a former professional baseball player and manager. He had a brief MLB playing career with the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs before transitioning to coaching and managing. He managed the Chicago Cubs (1982-1983) and the Philadelphia Phillies (1987-1988). Following his managerial roles, Elia served as a coach for several MLB teams, including the Phillies, Yankees, Blue Jays, Devil Rays, Orioles, and Mariners. In 2010, he was hired by the Atlanta Braves as a special assistant to the general manager.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1958: Signed by Philadelphia Phillies

In 1958, Elia was signed by his hometown team the Philadelphia Phillies as a shortstop.

1965: Signed by Chicago White Sox

In 1965, Lee Elia was signed by the Chicago White Sox organization.

1966: Played for the Chicago White Sox

In 1966, Lee Elia played sparingly in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox.

1966: Called up to the Major Leagues

In 1966, Lee Elia was called up to the Major Leagues and was on the roster with the Chicago White Sox for 80 games, playing in 77 of those. He hit .205 with three home runs and 22 RBI that season.

1967: Played in the Minors

In 1967, Lee Elia played the season in the minors, finishing with 14 home runs, 59 RBI, and a batting average of .267.

1968: Played for the Chicago Cubs

In 1968, Lee Elia played sparingly in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs.

1973: Played AAA ball with the Phillies

In 1973, at the age of 35, Lee Elia came back to baseball and played AAA ball with the Phillies, but he only appeared in 16 games and retired after.

1975: Managing Career Began

In 1975, Lee Elia began his managing career in the Western Carolinas League with the Class A Spartanburg Phillies.

1977: Manager of Double-A Reading Phillies

In the 1977 season, Lee Elia was promoted as the manager of the Double-A Reading Phillies in the Eastern League.

1978: Finished Second in the League

In 1978, Lee Elia managed the Reading Phillies and finished the season with a 79-57 record, which was good for second in the league.

1979: Manager of Phillies Triple-A Affiliate

In 1979, Lee Elia was named manager of the Phillies Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City 89ers.

1980: Notable Players Managed

In 1980, Kevin Saucier and Keith Moreland, who were managed by Lee Elia, won the World Series.

1980: Won World Series Championship

In 1980, as a bench coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, Lee Elia helped lead the team to a World Series Championship.

1981: Phillies Finished with a 59-48 Record

In 1981, as a bench coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, Lee Elia helped the team finished with a 59-48 record and won the NL East first half.

1982: Managed the Chicago Cubs

In 1982, Lee Elia managed the Chicago Cubs.

1982: Hired as Manager of the Chicago Cubs

In 1982, Lee Elia was hired as the manager of the Chicago Cubs.

1982: Notable Player Managed

In 1982, Lonnie Smith, who was managed by Lee Elia, was an All Star.

1983: Managed the Chicago Cubs

In 1983, Lee Elia managed the Chicago Cubs.

1985: Phillies Finished Fifth in the NL East

In 1985, as a Phillies bench coach, Lee Elia's Phillies finished 75-87, which was fifth in the NL East.

1986: Phillies Finished Second in the NL East

In 1986, as a Phillies bench coach, Lee Elia's Phillies finished 86–75, good for second place in the NL East.

1987: Managed the Philadelphia Phillies

In 1987, Lee Elia managed the Philadelphia Phillies.

1987: Hired as Phillies Manager

In 1987, Lee Elia was hired as manager for the 29–32 Phillies.

1988: Managed the Philadelphia Phillies

In 1988, Lee Elia managed the Philadelphia Phillies.

1988: Fired as Phillies Manager

In 1988, Lee Elia was fired as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies after a disappointing season, where they finished with a 65–96 record.

1989: New York Yankees Coach

In 1989, Lee Elia was a coach for the New York Yankees.

1990: Named Manager of the Clearwater Phillies

In 1990, Lee Elia was named manager of the Clearwater Phillies.

1991: Clearwater Phillies Dramatic Turnaround

In 1991, Lee Elia's Clearwater Phillies team made a dramatic turnaround, finishing with an 81–49 record.

1992: Retired from Being a Manager

In 1992, at age 54, Lee Elia retired from being a manager after leading the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons to an 84–58 record.

2010: Hired by the Atlanta Braves

In November 2010, Elia was hired by the Atlanta Braves as a special assistant to the general manager.

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