New kid on the block

Jorge Lebron, left, in 1974 with Auburn manager Larry Rojas

Jorge Lebron – pro baseball’s youngest player since 12-year-old batboy Joe Reliford has a pinch-hit appearance in 1952 for the Fitzgerald Pioneers of the Georgia State League – makes his debut 52 years ago today.

The 14-year-old Lebron plays two games during the 1974 season for the Philadelphia Phillies' Class A team in Auburn, N.Y., before returning home to Puerto Rico to finish his final year of, ahem, middle school.

Lebron plays shortstop and third base for three seasons in the lower, neophyte levels of the Phillies' minor league system before leaving pro ball in 1976 with a .244 average in 78 games.

At least he gets home in time for the high school prom.

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