What is "to lead off"

Lead \Lead\, v. i.

1. To guide or conduct, as by accompanying, going before, showing, influencing, directing with authority, etc.; to have precedence or pre["e]minence; to be first or chief; -- used in most of the senses of lead, v. t.

2. To tend or reach in a certain direction, or to a certain place; as, the path leads to the mill; gambling leads to other vices.

   The mountain foot that leads towards Mantua.
   --Shak.

   To lead off or To lead out, to go first; to begin; as, Mickey Mantle led off in the fifth inning of the game.