New York Yankees Mourning Loss Of Beloved Clubhouse Figure

Lou Cucuzza Sr., a longtime clubhouse manager for the New York Yankees, died at age 86.

On Sunday, the Yankees posted a statement confirming the loss of Cucuzza, who spent 47 years in baseball. They held a moment of silence for him before Sunday afternoon's spring training game against the Detroit Tigers.

"The Yankees mourn the passing of Lou Cucuzza, Sr., who was the patriarch of the Cucuzza baseball family and a proud and loyal New York Yankees employee for more than 35 years," the Yankees said. "Lou was a fixture in the Visiting Clubhouse at Yankee Stadium, and his attentiveness to opposing team players, coaches and staff was renowned across the Majors."

Ten years ago, the team dedicated Yankee Stadium's auxiliary clubhouse in Cucuzza's honor.

The Cucuzza family continues to oversee New York's clubhouses. His two sons, Lou Jr. and Rob, have taken the torch from their father.

"He passed down his professionalism and love for the game to his sons, Lou Cucuzza, Jr., who currently leads the staff in the Yankee Stadium Visiting Clubhouse, and Rob Cucuzza, who heads the Home Clubhouse staff," the team's statement said. "Cucuzza, Sr. was a beloved member of the Yankees family, and he will be deeply missed. We send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Cucuzza family."