Lee 'Buzz' Capra, a former Major League Baseball All-Star and Illinois State baseball standout, has died. He was 78.
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Illinois State announced that Capra died May 11. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Capra starred at Illinois State University from 1966 to 1969, compiling a 17-5 record with a 1.58 earned-run average. He served as a co-captain on the Redbirds' 1969 NCAA College Division national championship team, which remains the only national title in program history. He was later inducted into the school's athletics hall of fame.
Capra was selected by the New York Mets in the 1969 amateur draft and reached the major leagues in 1971. He later pitched for the Atlanta Braves, earning National League All-Star honors in 1974.
That season, Capra went 16-8 with a 2.28 ERA to capture the NL ERA title. Over parts of seven major league seasons, he posted a 35-31 record.
Following his playing career, Capra worked as a pitching coach in several organizations, including stints with the Braves, Mets, Phillies and White Sox systems.
"He was a legend in our program and one of the best baseball players to ever wear a Redbird uniform," Illinois State coach Steve Holm said.
Capra was also inducted into the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. His No. 9 was retired by Illinois State in 2003.
He is survived by family members. Funeral services are scheduled in Illinois.
