Lazzeri was born and raised in San Francisco, California, and played semi-professional baseball in the Bay Area before signing with the Pacific Coast League's Salt Lake Bees in 1922. He quickly established himself as a powerful hitter, setting the PCL record for home runs in a season with 39 in 1925.
The New York Yankees purchased Lazzeri's contract in 1926, and he made his major league debut the following year. He was an instant success in the Bronx, leading the American League in runs batted in (RBIs) and triples and finishing second in the MVP voting.
Lazzeri remained a key contributor to the Yankees success over the next decade. He helped lead the team to six American League pennants and four World Series championships, and was named to the All-Star team every season from 1930 to 1935. He also made history in 1936 by becoming the first player to hit a grand slam in a World Series game.
In addition to his offensive prowess, Lazzeri was known for his outstanding defensive play at second base. His career fielding percentage of .979 ranks him among the top 10 all-time for that position.
Lazzeri concluded his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1939 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest players of his era, and his contributions to the Yankees dynasty will never be forgotten.
⚾