Maz on the move … again and again

Lee Mazzilli, once considered the next great New York Met, finds himself moving yet again 41 years ago today as the New York Yankees ship him to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for four minor leaguers – pitcher Tim Burke, catcher Bubba Holland, outfielder Jerry Aubin and infielder Jose Rivera.

This marks the third time in less than nine months that the switch-hitting outfielder – born and bred in New York City and raised in Brooklyn – gets flipped to another team.

Mazzilli’s North American Van Lines tour of the major leagues starts on April Fool’s Day 1982, when the Mets send him to Texas in exchange for pitchers Ron Darling and Walt Terrell.

The Rangers like Mazzilli well enough until early August 1982, when they send him back to New York, this time to the Yankees for shortstop Bucky Dent.

Finally, 41 years ago today, the Yankees regift Mazzilli to Pittsburgh.

Mazzilli actually stays with the Pirates until late July 1986, when he is released and, then, within a couple of weeks finds a new team.

Well, maybe not so new, as Mazzilli ends up rejoining the Mets for another three-plus seasons before finishing out his playing career in 1989 with 28 games for Toronto.

Mazzilli is only 34 when he plays his last game.