The center field of Alex Box Stadium has belonged to former outfielder Leon Landry for the past three seasons.Landry repeatedly recorded high-flying, acrobatic grabs, covering all the way from second base to the center field wall 405 feet from home plate.Landry’s recent signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers signaled the end of an era for the Tigers.LSU coach Paul Mainieri said it will be difficult to replace the centerfielder, who was well-respected by his teammates.”A lot of guys looked up to Leon,” Mainieri said. “He’s a veteran, and he’s been through a lot.”Landry began his LSU career on a positive note, starting 57 games as a true freshman. “Leon really grew as a player,” Mainieri said. “He did some great things as a young player for us.”The former Baker High School athlete, playing on the football, basketball and baseball teams, continued to improve as he gained experience at LSU.”By his last year, he was a pretty good all-around player,” Mainieri said. “He became an outstanding hitter using all the field. He became a tough out.”Landry finished the 2010 season with the third-highest batting average on the team, going .338 from the plate.  He drove in 45 RBIs with 81 hits.Landry will join former LSU first baseman Blake Dean, who also signed with the Dodgers.”I’m glad I got a chance to go up to pro ball with one of my teammates and my close friend,” Landry said at a postseason press conference. “We’ll look out for each other up there.”Landry said he’s ready for the challenge of fighting his way up the ranks of MLB.”Regardless of the situation, I’m definitely looking forward to playing for [the Dodgers],” Landry said.Mainieri said he already knows the guy who’s up to the task of replacing Landry in center field — sophomore outfielder Mikie Mahtook.”He’s more than a capable replacement,” Mainieri said. “Mahtook will be able to do as great a job as Leon.”Mahtook had a solid season in 2010, hitting .335 with 80 hits, and will make the move to center field.Mainieri said sophomore outfielder Trey Watkins should also keep his spot in the outfield next season.Watkins finished this season batting .268 with 33 hits.Mainieri said the third outfield spot could go to incoming outfielder Lucas LeBlanc from Delgado Community College. LeBlanc was a first team All-American on the NJCAA team, hitting .420 with 67 RBIs and 11 home runs last season for the Dolphins.The Central Lafourche High School alumnus was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 11th round of this year’s draft, but Mainieri is keeping his hopes up LeBlanc will join the Tigers.”I would say there’s still a chance he could be swayed, but I’m hoping not,” Mainieri said. “He’s indicated he really wants to come to LSU.”Mainieri said another fresh face could impact the outfield race.”We have a guy named Marcus Davis we are really high on,” Mainieri said. Davis went to Princeton High School in Cincinnati and was teammates with LSU incoming running back Spencer Ware.Mainieri said freshmen Mason Katz and Alex Edward will also have a crack at an outfielding spot.”I wouldn’t count Mason Katz out,” Mainieri said. “I wouldn’t count out Alex Edward.”Katz took the reigns in left field at the start of the Southeastern Conference tournament and finished this season with a .318 batting average.”I’m really confident about our outfield next year,” Mainieri said. “I’m sure it will be a solid outfield.”Mainieri said replacing players like Landry is something the team overcomes after every season.”We deal with this every year,” Mainieri said. “Everybody’s used to players having good careers then leaving.”Mainieri said working up the ranks in the major leagues isn’t as easy as it looks, but Landry has the ability to do it.”It’s hard to make it to the major leagues,” Mainieri said. “He has a long road ahead of him. I hope he makes it.”–Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]