Matt Yallof, who is the co-host of The Rundown on MLB Network, wrote a post today today that compared L.J. Mazzilli and his potential rise to Queens, as fitting as it was for the previous Father/Son combos to play with the Mets like, Sandy and Roberto Alomar and Mookie and Preston Wilson did before him.
Yallof shared what the younger Mazzilli’s thoughts are about the possibility of one day suiting up in Queens, “Honestly, I might faint.”
After being drafted by the Mets this summer and being sent to play with Brooklyn, which ironically was his dad’s hometown, the fans quickly took a liking to L.J. Yallof shared his excitement, “I felt like a mini-star there in New York for a little bit,” L.J. said. “I was appreciative of all the fans there and tried to interact as much as I could.”
L.J finished 2013 with Brooklyn batting .278/.329/.381, with 12 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 22 walks in 273 at bats.
When the Mets signed L.J. Mazzilli with the fourth round pick in the 2013 draft, they signed more than just a player; they signed a family name that has been a huge part of Mets history. L.J.’s dad, Lee Mazzilli, made his debut with the Mets as well and it’s only fitting that he would start his career with the Cyclones. He’s in the same borough of Brooklyn, where his dad grew up learning the game of baseball.
When the Cyclones opened their doors in 2001, I am sure in the back of the elder Mazzilli’s mind, he thought it would be cool to have his son start his Mets career in the same backyard where he starred. Brooklyn is a special place for baseball lure, and now a familiar name has taken center stage.
I’m interested in seeing how L.J. performs in his second full season of pro baseball. And if all the stars align the right way for him, it will be great to see another father/son combo wearing the orange and blue.
(Photo Credits: MiLB and John Torenli/Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
