News

Tennessee’s Tony Vitello Named NCBWA Coach of the Year

Tennessee head baseball coach Tony Vitello was named the 2021 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Mike Martin National Coach of the Year. He became only the second coach in program history to receive national honors, joining former Vols coach Rod Delmonico, who won in 1995.

Dom Scala Named 2021 IABF Achievement Award Honoree

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Longtime college baseball coach Dom Scala will receive the 2021 Italian American Baseball Foundation Achievement Award at a December ceremony in Brooklyn. The former Adelphi University head coach compiled a 432-331-5 record, won three conference titles and later served the Yankees and Pirates.

Tony LaRussa Passes John McGraw for Second on All-Time Manager Wins List

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Tony La Russa became baseball’s second-winningest manager when the Chicago White Sox defeated their opponent on June 6, giving him 2,764 victories and surpassing John McGraw. After returning from retirement, the Hall of Fame manager was leading the White Sox in the AL Central.

LSU’s Paul Mainieri Earns Career Win No. 1,500

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LSU coach Paul Mainieri earned career win No. 1,500 when LSU defeated Texas A&M on May 21. He became the fifth coach in NCAA Division I Baseball history to reach 1,500 victories and win a national championship, ranking 11th all-time in NCAA baseball wins.

Tom Verducci Named First Recipient of Italian American Baseball Foundation Media Award

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Tom Verducci was named the first recipient of the Italian American Baseball Foundation Media Award. The longtime Sports Illustrated writer and Fox Sports and MLB Network analyst will be honored at the IABF Awards Gala in Brooklyn, New York, in December.

Nationals President/GM Mike Rizzo Named IABF Executive of the Year

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Mike Rizzo, president and general manager of the Washington Nationals, was named the Italian American Baseball Foundation Executive of the Year. He will be honored at the organization’s annual awards gala in Brooklyn, New York, in December, following Washington’s World Series title.

Joe Musgrove Channels Italian American Heritage During Padres First No-Hitter

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Joe Musgrove wore his Italian cornicello while throwing the first no-hitter in Padres history. He has worn the gold Italian horn pendant since receiving it from his family, honoring a tradition believed to protect against the evil eye and reflecting his Italian heritage.

Italian American Mike Scioscia Named Team USA Manager

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USA Baseball named Italian American Mike Scioscia manager of the 2021 Professional National Team. The three-time World Series champion as a player and manager aimed to lead Team USA to the Tokyo Olympic Games, where he hoped the team would win a gold medal.

Anthony Causi Honored with Yankees Plaque Tribute

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Anthony Causi, a New York Post photographer who died from COVID-19 complications, was honored with a plaque at Yankee Stadium. Installed in the first base photowell, the dedication recognized his passionate talent, extraordinary excellence, uncommon care, and lasting contribution through his images; his family attended the ceremony.

Trey Mancini to Receive IABF Tommy Lasorda Award

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Trey Mancini will receive the Italian American Baseball Foundation’s Tommy Lasorda Award after returning to the Baltimore Orioles in 2021 following treatment for stage 3 colon cancer. The honor recognizes his perseverance, baseball achievements, and pride in Italian American heritage at the IABF’s December gala in Brooklyn.

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