NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Athletics Percy Family Hall of Famer and Redbird baseball legend Lee "Buzz" Capra passed away on May 11, 2026, at the age of 78.
A standout at Lane Tech High School on the north side of Chicago, Capra came to Illinois State in 1966 and went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Redbirds. From 1966-1969, Capra amassed a career record of 17-5 with an earned-run average of 1.58 on the mound for the Redbirds. He was a co-captain of the 1969 NCAA College Division national championship team his senior year, which remains as the only national championship winning team in ISU history. He still ranks second in the ISU record books in career ERA (1.58) and is 11th in strikeouts (1999). Following his illustrious career at ISU, Capra was inducted into the ISU Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame in 1975 and again in 1986 along with his teammates and coaches from the 1969 national championship squad.
"When I was hired as head coach of the Redbird Baseball program, Buzz was one of the first people to reach out, wish me luck and offer any assistance he could provide," ISU head coach Steve Holm said. "Buzz is a legend in our program and one of the best baseball players to ever wear a Redbird uniform. He was a Hall of Famer, national champion, longtime MLB professional and coach and his legacy in the game of baseball will live on. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and former ISU teammates at this difficult time."
Capra was selected by the New York Mets in the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft and began his professional career with the Pompano Beach Mets. He went 33-10 with a 2.49 ERA with 367 strikeouts over three seasons in the Mets' farm system, before earning his MLB call up in 1971. Capra pitched for the Mets through the 1973 season before moving on to Atlanta, where he compiled a 101-55 record with a 3.73 ERA and 276 strikeouts in four seasons. In 1974, he was named a National League All-Star for the Braves, and he won the National League ERA title after posting a 16-8 record with a 2.28 ERA.
Following his playing career, Capra continued sharing his passion for baseball as a pitching coach within the Braves, Mets, Phillies, and White Sox farm systems. In 2021, he was inducted into the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding athletic achievements and contributions to the game of baseball. His number 9 was also retired by Illinois State Athletics and the Redbird baseball program on May 17, 2003, and holds a place of honor at Duffy Bass Field.
A visitation for Capra will take place on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Cumberland Chapels. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to two of his favorite charities: The Illinois Spina Bifida Association or the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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