Italian American

Italian American Baseball Foundation Awards Record $105,000+ in Scholarships to 24 Student-Athletes in 2026

The Italian American Baseball Foundation awarded 24 college student-athletes more than $105,000 in 2026 scholarships, its largest single-year total since launching the program in 2021. The awards bring cumulative scholarships to nearly $250,000 during IABF’s 10th anniversary year.

Cincinnati Reds Hire Italian American Terry Francona as Manager

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The Cincinnati Reds hired Italian American and former Italian American Baseball Foundation honoree Terry Francona as manager. Francona, 65, returns after leaving the Guardians following the 2023 season, bringing a 1,950-1,672 record across 23 seasons and World Series titles with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.

IABF Launches Italian Baseball Advisory Board

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The Italian American Baseball Foundation launched an Italian Baseball Advisory Board led by former Team Italy manager Marco Mazzieri. The board includes veterans such as Francisco Cervelli, Gibo Gerali, Alex Liddi, Alessandro Maestri, and Giovanni Natale, and is developing programs to increase participation in Italy.

Red Sox Honor IABF at Fenway During Italian Heritage Night

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The Italian Heritage Games connect Italian American baseball celebrations with scholarships for college baseball and softball players. At Fenway Park, IABF joined Red Sox representatives and Italian American figures, while proceeds from the event supported the foundation’s scholarship fund and promoted baseball in Italy.

Italian Americans Have Historic MLB Draft Day

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At least 34 players with Italian heritage were selected in the 2024 Major League Baseball draft, including first-round picks Travis Bazzana, Chase Burns, and Jac Caglianone. At least one Italian American was chosen in every round except the ninth, and 22 of 30 MLB teams drafted at least one Italian American.

Italian American Baseball Foundation to Present Highest Honor to Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred

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The Italian American Baseball Foundation will honor Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred with its IABF Excellence Award at its December 5 gala in the Bronx. The award recognizes his leadership, service to baseball, and Italian heritage, including ancestry from Campobasso and Cosenza, Calabria.

IABF, Elefterakis, Elefterakis & Panek Law Announce International Youth Development and Baseball Partnership

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The Italian American Baseball Foundation (IABF) and Elefterakis, Elefterakis, and Panek (EEP) have agreed to a partnership to support their collective efforts in youth baseball development. IABF has become one of the world’s premier heritage-based non-profit baseball organizations and is dedicated to inspiring the next generation.

2023-2024 Italian American Hot Stove Report

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There will be several moves in the MLB off-season, including Italian American players. Use this list to keep track! Dom Fletcher traded to White Sox from Arizona Diamondbacks Adam Ottavino re-signed one-year deal with New York Mets Matt Festa signed minor league deal with San Diego Padres Trey Mancini signed minor league deal with Miami.

Full Mission Classic WBC Documentary Released

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The Mission Classic documentary is available in a full-length one-hour release. The full running debuted during a sports film festival in Milan, and the film is available for worldwide distribution via YouTube. This project was produced by the Federation of Italian Baseball and Softball and the Italian American Baseball Foundation.

Italian Americans in 2023 College World Series

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Italian Americans appeared across several rosters and coaching staffs during the 2023 College World Series. LSU and Florida each featured multiple players, while Oral Roberts, Wake Forest, TCU, Tennessee and Stanford also had Italian American athletes or coaches represented; Virginia had none listed.

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