Matthew LeCroy

1.1. Childhood and schooling

LeCroy was born on December 13, 1975, in Belton, South Carolina. He is a 1994 graduate of Belton-Honea Path High School in Honea Path, South Carolina. Following high school, he attended Clemson University with the intention of pursuing a degree in elementary education.

1.2. Amateur career

While at Clemson, LeCroy distinguished himself in collegiate baseball and on the international stage. He was named to the 1996 U.S. Olympic Baseball Team for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The team secured a bronze medal, after losing to Cuba (which won the gold medal) and Japan (which took the silver medal), before ultimately defeating Nicaragua in the bronze medal game.

In 1999, LeCroy again represented the United States at the international level, playing for the national team at the 1999 Pan American Games held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The United States team finished in second place, once more behind Cuba. These games were notable as they marked the first time professional baseball players were permitted to compete in international competitions.

2.1. Minnesota Twins

LeCroy was drafted by the Minnesota Twins as a catcher in the first round, 50th overall, of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft. Despite his strong offensive capabilities, LeCroy faced defensive challenges behind the plate, averaging double-digit passed balls and throwing out less than 30 percent of potential base stealers. However, he showcased superior power numbers in the minor leagues, hitting 101 home runs over five years within the Twins' farm system.

He made his major league debut in 2000, making the club out of spring training. From 2000 to 2002, LeCroy split his time between the Twins and their Triple-A affiliates, playing for the Salt Lake Buzz and later the Edmonton Trappers after the Twins changed their minor-league affiliation in 2001. Due to his defensive struggles as a catcher, LeCroy also spent time playing first base and designated hitter, ultimately playing more games at designated hitter in the major leagues than at first base and catcher combined.

His most productive years in the majors were 2003, when he batted .287 with 17 home runs and 64 runs batted in in 107 games, and 2005, where he hit .260 with 17 home runs and 50 runs batted in over 101 games. As a member of the Twins, LeCroy notably became one of the few major leaguers to hit a pinch hit walk-off grand slam in a victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Throughout his eight-year major league career, he maintained a .260 batting average, hitting 60 home runs and driving in 218 runs in 472 games.

2.2. Washington Nationals

Despite a productive 2005 season, the Minnesota Twins did not re-sign LeCroy, leading him to sign a minor-league contract with the Washington Nationals on February 8, 2006.

On May 25, 2006, LeCroy was asked to fill in as catcher during a game against the Houston Astros due to injuries to Washington's starting catcher Brian Schneider and backup Wiki Gonzalez. Despite suffering from bone spurs in his throwing knee, LeCroy started the game. He was replaced by utilityman Robert Fick in the middle of the seventh inning after the Astros stole seven bases and LeCroy committed two catching errors. Following the game, manager Frank Robinson reportedly shed tears during the press conference regarding his decision to remove LeCroy mid-game, an action often considered embarrassing for a player. LeCroy was designated for assignment on July 18, which he accepted, and spent the remainder of the year playing for the New Orleans Zephyrs, then Washington's Triple-A affiliate team.

2.3. Minnesota Twins (second stint)

LeCroy returned to the Minnesota Twins organization, signing a minor-league deal on January 15, 2007. This move came after he declined an offer from the Washington Nationals to manage one of their minor-league teams. LeCroy began the 2007 season as a designated hitter for the Rochester Red Wings in the International League. His contract was purchased by the major-league club on September 9, 2007, when their fourth catcher José Morales sustained an injury, allowing LeCroy to finish the season with the Twins.

On October 11, 2007, the Twins outrighted LeCroy to the minor leagues, but he refused the assignment and consequently became a free agent.

2.4. Independent league

On February 15, 2008, LeCroy signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Oakland Athletics. However, on March 16, 2008, LeCroy was reassigned to minor-league camp and requested his release from the Athletics, which was granted. He then signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in April 2008. LeCroy played 94 games for Lancaster, where he batted .326 with 22 home runs and 83 runs batted in, before retiring from playing at the end of the season.

3.1. Minor league managerial roles

In November 2008, LeCroy was hired by the Nationals to manage the team's Class A affiliate, the Hagerstown Suns. He held this position for two seasons. In 2011, LeCroy was promoted to the High Single-A Carolina League, where he was named the manager of the Potomac Nationals. The following year, in 2012, he was appointed manager of the Double A Harrisburg Senators. He managed the Senators for two seasons, through 2013.

3.2. Major league coaching role

In November 2013, LeCroy was named the bullpen coach on new Nationals manager Matt Williams' coaching staff, replacing Jim Lett. He served in this capacity for two seasons. After the 2015 season, LeCroy, along with Williams and the entire coaching staff, was fired. However, he was brought back to the Nationals organization for his second stint as manager of the Harrisburg Senators for the 2016 season.

3.3. Triple-A managerial role

On December 15, 2020, the Washington Nationals announced LeCroy's promotion to manager of their Class-AAA affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings.