Lockout Lookup: Matthew LeCroy

Subject: Matthew LeCroy

Why You Remember Him: Catchers are inherently memorable. This is just a theory, but as with hockey goaltenders, it takes a different breed to voluntarily have projectiles launched at you at fearsome speeds. As if this weren’t hazardous enough, they expose their most delicate area to the baseball (ask Mitch Garver) while a large man swings a wooden spindle within mere inches of his brainpan. They’re just built different, I guess. Even the non-greats find a place in your memory palace. From Junior Ortiz to Mike Redmond, I celebrate them all.

Matthew LeCroy was a catcher (and designated hitter/first baseman) for the Twins from 2000-2005. Prone to striking out, he managed to belt 17 dingers in 2003 and 2005. In a clubhouse already brimming with characters, the South Carolina native stood out as the kind of guy who allegedly tried to get Eddie Guardado to eat possum.

LeCroy’s defensive liabilities were exposed most notably in 2006, when he signed with the Washington Nationals. Manager Frank Robinson pulled him from a game against the Astros after the latter gave up seven stolen bases and committed two errors. Robinson fought back tears as he explained the decision after the game, clearly not wanting to humiliate the veteran. Robinson was a tough, tough SOB who came up during the civil rights era, but Matty LeCroy trying to play catcher on a bum knee got him up in his feelings.

LeCroy returned to the Twins in 2007, his final major league season. Twins Daily was unable to confirm if he ever got Guardado to consume the protein-rich possum flesh.

What You Don’t Remember: Frank Robinson appeared in an episode of the CBS sitcom Yes, Dear with Ernie Banks and Johnny Bench. There were 122 episodes of Yes, Dear. It was on TV for years. I couldn’t tell you a single other thing about this show.

What’s He Up To: Managing former Twins Triple-A affiliate Rochester.