Awards

Joe Quagliano, Carmine Gangone Named Italian Americans of the Year in Hunterdon County

IABF co-founders Joe Quagliano and Carmine Gangone were named Italian Americans of the Year by the Italian American Heritage Club of Hunterdon County. The recognition honors their leadership and contributions to the Italian American baseball community.

Mike Pagliarulo Named 2022 IABF Achievement Award Honoree

Awards Gala IABF Italian Italian American Heritage Italy Mike Pagliarulo Professional Baseball

Former big leaguer Mike Pagliarulo was selected as the 2022 IABF Achievement Award honoree. He was recognized for his support of the Italian American Baseball Foundation after an 11-year major league career, a 1991 World Series title with the Twins, coaching with Miami, and work with Washington.

MLB’s Jim Small to Receive IABF Executive of the Year Award

Awards Gala IABF International Baseball Italian American jim small MLB wbc

Jim Small, Major League Baseball’s Senior Vice President of International, was named the 2022 Italian American Baseball Foundation Executive of the Year. He will be honored at the December 1 IABF Gala for leading MLB’s global growth, international scheduling, talent development, and World Baseball Classic efforts.

Michael Kay Named 2022 IABF Media Award Honoree

Awards Gala IABF Media Professional Baseball

Longtime New York Yankees’ broadcaster Michael Kay will be honored with the Italian American Baseball Foundation Media Award at the annual IABF Gala in December 2022. Kay is Italian on his mother’s side. A Bronx native, Kay is best known as the play-by-play broadcaster of the Yankees and host of CenterStage on the YES Network.

Team Italy, Mike Piazza Named IABF’s 2022 Tommy Lasorda Award Honoree

Awards Gala IABF Team Italy World Baseball Classic

The Italian American Baseball Foundation will present Mike Piazza and the Italian National Baseball Team with its highest honor, the Tommy Lasorda Award, at the 2022 IABF Gala in Brooklyn. The award recognizes Italian Americans who have advanced baseball while representing their culture and heritage.

IABF Celebrates Italian Heritage Night in San Diego

Awards Italian American Heritage MLB San Diego Padres

The Padres hosted an Italian Heritage Night on July 29, 2022, giving fans special hats featuring the Italian flag and photo opportunities with a Padres logo in Italian colors. IABF trustee Chris Vaccaro presented Rocco Baldelli with a recognition plaque.

IABF Celebrates Italian Heritage Night in Miami

Awards IABF Italian American Heritage MLB

The Marlins hosted Italian Night, with sales and promotional teams supporting the event. IABF was prominently mentioned on the scoreboard, while President and Founder Joe Quagliano and Secretary Mark Cardillo presented recognition plaques to Daniel Castano, Dylan Floro and honorary Italian Don Mattingly.

Larry Lucchino Inducted to Padres Hall of Fame

Awards Baseball History MLB Professional Baseball

Italian American baseball executive Larry Lucchino was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame. He served as the Padres’ president from 1995 through 2001, helped turn around the franchise and was instrumental in building Petco Park, where his plaque was added.

Piancastelli Wins MVP of First FTX MLB Home Run Derby

Awards IABF International Baseball MLB Softball

Italian American softball star Ericka Piancastelli earned MVP honors at the first FTX MLB Home Run Derby. The marketing event is part of efforts to grow the game internationally. Piancastelli, a guest at the 2017 IABF Gala, recorded 31 points as part of the winning Yankees team that outhit the competition.

IABF Sponsors Dom Scala Baseball Camp

Awards Coaching IABF Youth Baseball

As part of our commitment to youth development, the Italian American Baseball Foundation was a proud sponsor of the Dom Scala Baseball Camp. Scala, a former Yankee bullpen coach from 1978-1986 and a Pirates’ scout from 1987-1993, he was honored as the 2021 IABF Achievement Award winner. The IABF logo is also on this year’s camp MVP plaque.

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