Lee Elia, the former major league manager of the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs, died at 87. His death was announced by the Phillies, the team Elia was most closely affiliated.

The team didn't provide further information but celebrated Elia's service in the game, particularly his contribution in the last 50 years with the Phillies.

Career Spanning More Than 50 Years in Baseball

Lee Elia, Chicago Manager Who Criticized Booing Fans in Postgame Lee Elia, Chicago Manager Who Criticized Booing Fans in Postgame
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Born on July 16, 1937, in Philadelphia, Elia started his professional career in baseball in 1958 when he signed as an amateur free agent with the Phillies. According to MLB, Elia began his career in the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox in 1966 and briefly played for the Chicago Cubs. In 95 major league games, Elia had a .203 batting average, three home runs, and 25 RBIs.

Though his on-field career was unremarkable, Elia's impact as a manager and coach was much greater. During more than 50 years of baseball, he served as a player, manager, scout, coach, and director of instruction for 10 different franchises, including the Phillies, Cubs, Mariners, Yankees, Blue Jays, Rays, and Orioles.

Elia's Most Viral Rant

Elia's greatest moment was early in his managing tenure with the Chicago Cubs. In 1982, at the age of 44, he was hired to manage the team for two seasons with a 127-158 mark. It was a postgame rant on April 29, 1983, that would put his name in the baseball history books.

With a 5-14 season start infuriating him and heckling fans at Wrigley Field, Elia's tirade criticized the crowd with a profanity-laden rant. According to CBS News, he famously said, "85% of the world is working. The other 15 come out here." The video, censored as it was, would go on to become one of sports' most replayed rants.

Years later, Elia looked back on the moment, conceding it was a blunder but also a very human thing to do. He admitted in a 2009 interview that people make mistakes sometimes.

Deep Roots with the Phillies

Though his national fame arrived with the Cubs, Elia was still a Phillie through and through. He was the team's third base coach in the 1980 World Series-winning season for the Phillies and was the team's manager from 1987 until 1988, ending with an 111-142-1 record.

Beyond those years, Elia continued to guide players through various roles, influencing the careers of many young athletes. Mariners manager Dan Wilson, who played under Elia, remembered him fondly. For Wilson, Elia was a father figure in baseball.