Charlie Lea

Who was Charlie Lea?

Charles William Lea was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1980 through 1988, Lea played for the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins. He batted and threw right-handed.

Lea was drafted three times, by the Mets, Cardinals and White Sox, but did not sign and decided to go on to Memphis State University. Finally, he signed with the Montreal Expos after being selected in the 1978 draft.

Lea played for the Double-A Memphis Chicks in the Southern League from 1978–80 and was selected an All-Star in 1979 and 1980. After a 9-0 mark and a 0.84 ERA in his last season at Memphis, Lea was called to the majors and debuted with the Expos in the 1980 midseason. He finished his rookie season with a 7-5 record.

In the strike-shortened 1981 season, Lea won five games, including a no-hitter against the Giants on May 10. He was one of only three Expos to throw a no-hitter, the others being Bill Stoneman, twice, in 1969 and 1972, and Dennis Martínez, who pitched a perfect game in 1991.

In 1982, Lea finished with a 12-10 mark and a 3.24 ERA. His most productive season came in 1983, when he collected career-highs in victories, strikeouts, and starts, posting a 3.12 ERA.