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Former Cubs manager Lee Elia, known for all-time great rant, dies at 87

Related Topics: Chicago Cubs, Lee Elia

Sun-Times

Former Cubs manager and White Sox player Lee Elia — best known for one of the most epic rants in baseball history, died Wednesday at 87, the Philadelphia Phillies announced.

Elia’s professional baseball career spanned more than 50 years as a player, coach, manager and executive, but his name will forever be linked to his 1983 tirade directed at Cubs fans that eventually got him fired.

“What am I supposed to do? Go out there and let my (bleeping) players get destroyed every day and be quiet about it for the (bleeping) nickel-dime people who show up?