Buzz Capra obit

Lee "Buzz" Capra

October 1, 1947 — May 11, 2026

 

He was not on the list.

Lee “Buzz” Capra, age 78, passed away on May 11, 2026. Buzz was born on October 1, 1947, in Chicago to the late Peter and the late Jane Capra.

Loving father of Leanne (John) Ostrander and Leslie (Frank) Murphy. Former husband of Cheryl Capra. Cherished Papa of Johnny, Hannah, Chloe, and Sean. Dear brother of RoseAnn (the late Gary) Hitchen, Robert (Tanya) Capra, Gary (Theresa) Capra, and Cathy (Vincent) Accardo. Loving uncle of many nieces and nephews and dear cousin and friend to many.

Buzz attended Lane Tech High School on the north side of Chicago, where he excelled as a shortstop on the baseball team. He proudly served his country in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam War. He received a B.S. in Art Education from Illinois State University. He was a pitcher for the ISU Redbirds where he lead the team to its 1969 NCAA college division baseball championship and later in 2003, ISU retired Buzz's jersey number 9.

Buzz went on to enjoy a distinguished professional baseball career as a pitcher with the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves from 1969 until 1977. In 1974, he was honored as a National League All-Star and earned the National League ERA title. In 2021, Buzz was inducted into the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding athletic achievements and contributions to the game of baseball.

Following his playing career, Buzz continued sharing his passion for baseball as a pitching coach within the Braves, Mets, Phillies, and White Sox farm systems. Buzz also coached youth baseball for many years. Beyond baseball, Buzz was a skilled carpenter who generously helped countless family members, friends, and neighbors with projects big and small. He will be remembered for his kindness, his willingness to lend a hand, and the lasting friendships he built throughout his life. He loved Jesus and his family takes comfort knowing that he is in heaven now in the arms of The Savior.

Visitation for Buzz will take place on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Cumberland Chapels. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Buzz’s legacy will live on through his family, the many lives he touched through baseball, and the countless friendships he cherished throughout the years.

Capra was a shortstop at Lane Technical College Prep High School in the Roscoe Village neighborhood on the Northside of Chicago. Besides playing shortstop, he began pitching at Illinois State University, and compiled a 17–5 record & 1.58 ERA. Capra was a team co-captain his senior year, and led the Redbirds to the 1969 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship.

He was selected late in the 1969 Major League Baseball draft, by the New York Mets. Though primarily a pitcher, he played some shortstop and second base with the Pompano Beach Mets in 1969. He went 33–10 with a 2.49 ERA & 367 strikeouts, over three seasons in the Mets' farm system, to earn a September call-up in 1971.

In 1971, Capra made three appearances out of the bullpen, and did not allow an earned run in his first two big league appearances. However, he was not so lucky in his third appearance: Facing the St. Louis Cardinals at Shea Stadium, Capra entered the game in the tenth inning, and retired only one of the seven batters he faced, Jorge Roque, who bunted Joe Torre to second after Torre had led off the inning with a single), on his way to allowing five runs and taking his first major league loss.

The Braves released Capra at the end of spring training, 1978, and he retired as a player, shortly thereafter. He then returned to Illinois State as pitching coach for the Redbirds; Capra went on to become a pitching coach and manager, in the Mets’, Phillies’, and Braves' respective farm systems.

While attending Illinois State, Capra earned his degree in teaching, and taught ceramics at a Chicago high school during the offseasons while still a player. He is a member of the Illinois State Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame.