RIP: Ted Lepcio

stepson_and_toe

New Member
Aug 11, 2019
386
I don't recall seeing mention on the board and a search of it didn't turn up anything but Ted Lepcio passed away on December 11. He spent 1951 in Class B and AAA in the Red Sox system and after one game in AAA in '52 was called up to Boston where he played SS/3B/2B through 3 games in 1959 when he was traded to Detroit along with Dave Sisler (son of George) for pitcher Billy Hoeft. He played for the Phillies, White Sox, and Twins before ending his career in 1961. He was mostly a part-time player with blah batting stats.

I recall him because I sent him a postcard asking for an autograph, being very careful as a youngster (about 10) to address him by his first name, Thaddeus, but never considering that I should have sent a letter with a self-addressed stamped envelop included. I also did the same with Constantin Niarhos. I figured that these were two players who didn't get asked often for their autographs.
 

Granite Sox

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 6, 2003
5,055
The Granite State
He was the one and only ex-Red Sox player I’ve ever met personally. Not sure how, but my father knew him and introduced him to me in the third base grandstand during the first Red Sox game I ever attended in the early 70’s (a 3-1 loss to the Washington Senators decided by a Frank Howard bomb over the Monster). Super pleasant man.
RIP.
 

terrynever

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Aug 25, 2005
21,717
pawtucket
Ted Lepcio played on an abysmal 1960 Phillies team that won 59 games. Manager Eddie Sawyer famously resigned after Opening Day, saying “I am 49 years old and want to see 50.”
 

stepson_and_toe

New Member
Aug 11, 2019
386
He played with the Augusta (Maine) Millionaires back in the day as well.
Didn't know about that but I did a web search and found some conflicting information. One piece said he played for the Millionaires during summer break from college in 1949 and 1950 while the other said he co-starred with future Red Sox teammate Harry Agganis with them in 1948.
 

ErrorBuddin

New Member
Jul 14, 2005
16
It seemed that his baseball card was in every pack. He was a likable player who was just below average in every area, just like the late 50s Sox. I think there was a newspaper writer who referred to the late 50s double play combination was Buddin to Lepcio to Cambridge.
 

WayneHousieHOF

wants you to hate boston teams like him
SoSH Member
Jan 13, 2004
693
295 corridor
Didn't know about that but I did a web search and found some conflicting information. One piece said he played for the Millionaires during summer break from college in 1949 and 1950 while the other said he co-starred with future Red Sox teammate Harry Agganis with them in 1948.
Hmmm Interesting.
Yeah I knew he played there - I thought it was 49/50 but I’m seeing conflicting info as well.
 

Chico Escuela

New Member
Jul 18, 2005
1
So sad to hear this. He was my favorite ballplayer from that era. He and his family lived on Hawes St. (Brookline, MA); not far from my childhood home. He was very generous with his time; and beyond tolerant with the nuisances of the boys in the neighborhood who idolized him (me included). As I recall he had the best variety of candy at Halloween; and I grieved when he was traded to the Tigers. I remember that day like it was yesterday. RIP Mr. Lepcio and thank-you!
 

LoweTek

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
May 30, 2005
2,183
Central Florida
It seemed that his baseball card was in every pack. He was a likable player who was just below average in every area, just like the late 50s Sox. I think there was a newspaper writer who referred to the late 50s double play combination was Buddin to Lepcio to Cambridge.
I have at least one of his Red Sox baseball cards around here someplace. If one of you guys who knew him would like to have it send me a message and I'll get it out to you.
 

Al Zarilla

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 8, 2005
58,872
San Andreas Fault
I have at least one of his Red Sox baseball cards around here someplace. If one of you guys who knew him would like to have it send me a message and I'll get it out to you.
I’ll take a 1952 if you have one. Just kidding. It can be valuable, $125 for excellent, $300 for Near Mint. You’d most likely want to keep that year card. I’ve got a 1953. RIP Ted. You got to play some with the other Ted. Hopefully, that was cool.
 

section15

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 23, 2007
227
Bradford, MA and section 15
Yeah this is the first I heard of Ted's passing. I'm rather surprised that the BoSox Club made no mention of it, as he was one of the founders of that organization back in 1967. He frequented Autograph Alley at Fenway through the years, and was still involved with the BoSox Club in recent years.
 

Flynn4ever

Member
SoSH Member
He was the one and only ex-Red Sox player I’ve ever met personally. Not sure how, but my father knew him and introduced him to me in the third base grandstand during the first Red Sox game I ever attended in the early 70’s (a 3-1 loss to the Washington Senators decided by a Frank Howard bomb over the Monster). Super pleasant man.
RIP.
You know, now that you have mentioned this, I realize I have never met a current or former Sox. Growing up in Upstate New York and never even going to Boston for the first time until I was 20 (and only two or three times since) might account for that. How am I such a Sox fan, you may ask? It started as Yankee hatred and naturally took its course. I have met several former Yankees though, my hometown is where Billy Martin met his end, currently home of the Mets AA team, used to be the Yanks top team before I was born. Sad, though, when former players pass.