He gave his insight on how he did it to the Sentinel afterward.
"I just kept the ball low, changed speeds and made 'em hit it on the ground," Lein told the Sentinel.
Lein took his insight on pitching to a brief career as a player in the pros and then passed that insight along in a longer career as a minor league coach and later became a scout.
Lein's career began that year in 1979, taken by the Yankees in the 16th round of the draft out of Florida International.
Lein started with the Yankees at rookie Paintsville. He went 4-5, with a 5.06 ERA. He then moved to single-A Fort Lauderdale for 1980 and 1981. He went 11-11 in 1981, with a 2.25 ERA.
He made AA Nashville in 1982. He allowed two runs on six hits in a May game, his first start of the year, according to The Tennessean.
"I thought I threw okay," Lein told The Tennessean. "I threw 75 pitches and only eight curves. I had a good sinker, but lost it in the second inning with bad mechanics and gave up those runs."
Lein played one more season at single-A Alexandria, but an arm injury ended his career.
He soon signed on with the Pirates as pitching coach for single-A Macon. He then coached 1985 and 1986 at single-A Prince William. He arrived at single-A Salem for 1987, 1988 and 1990. In between, he coached at AA Harrisburg.
"He teaches a simple, but effective philosophy," his Star card reads, "throw strikes and challenge hitters."
Lein moved to the Orioles system and rookie Bluefield for 1991 and made AA Bowie for 1995 and 1996. In 1998, he turned advance scout for the Pirates, a job he held through 2003. After coaching in high school, he returned as a scout in 2014 with the White Sox.
- Orlando Sentinel, May 12, 1979: Rollins falls to Valdosta
- The Tennessean, May 20, 1982: Sounds Fall 3-2
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,906
Made the Majors:1,084-37.3%
Never Made Majors:1,822-62.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 450
10+ Seasons in the Minors:270
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