Joe Lis

Who was Joe Lis?

Joseph Anthony Lis was a first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for four different teams between the 1970 and 1977 seasons. Listed at 6' 0", 175 lb., Lis batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Somerville, New Jersey.

Lis entered the majors in 1970 with the Philadelphia Phillies, playing for them three years before joining the Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners. Basically a first baseman during his major league career, he also played left field, right field, third base, and caught in one game.

A good power hitter in the minor leagues, Lis batted at least 33 home runs in three different seasons and was named International League Most Valuable Player in 1976, an award he shared with fellow infielders Mickey Klutts and Rich Dauer. Nevertheless, he never translated his minor league success into a full-time job in the majors. His most productive season came in 1973 with Minnesota, when he posted career numbers in homers, RBI and games as a replacement for injured Harmon Killebrew.

Lis also played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Kintetsu Buffaloes in 1978.