Professional Baseball

Matt Quatraro Earns First MLB Win

Italian American Matt Quatraro earned his first Major League victory as manager of the Kansas City Royals. In his first season with Kansas City, Quatraro joined the club after serving as a third base coach with the Tampa Bay Rays and a hitting coach with the Cleveland Indians.

Italian Americans Named to MLB Top 100

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Eight Italian Americans appeared on the MLB Top 100 list to open the 2023 season: Justin Verlander ranked 14th, followed by J.T. Realmuto at 29, Pete Alonso at 31, Gerrit Cole at 37, Brandon Nimmo at 54, Anthony Rizzo at 74, Aaron Nola at 79 and Joe Musgrove at 96.

J.P. Ricciardi Speaks with IABF Student Leadership Advisory Council

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J.P. Ricciardi addressed the Italian American Baseball Foundation Student Leadership Advisory Council about baseball’s changing roles, shared challenges among clubs, and his four decades in the game. The San Francisco Giants advisor urged students to pursue their goals with persistence and encouraged more Italian Americans to enter baseball.

Blake Butera Named Assistant Field Coordinator for Tampa Rays

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The Tampa Bay Rays named Italian American and Team Italy coach Blake Butera an assistant field coordinator for the 2023 season. Butera spent the previous season managing Class-A Charleston, adding minor league on-field coaching responsibilities to his baseball career.

Anthony Iapoce Named Manager of Toledo Mud Hens, Triple-A Affiliate of Tigers

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The Detroit Tigers and Toledo Mud Hens announced that Italian American Anthony Iapoce will manage the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate in Toledo during the 2023 season. Iapoce most recently served as a minor league hitting coordinator with the Boston Red Sox and previously was a hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs.

Wayne Randazzo is New Angels TV Play-By-Play Voice

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Bally Sports West and the Los Angeles Angels named Wayne Randazzo the club’s new play-by-play announcer. Randazzo brings nearly 20 years of local and national broadcasting experience, including four seasons calling New York Mets games, while continuing his Friday Night Baseball role with Apple TV+.

Italian Americans Participate in Arizona Fall League

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The Arizona Fall League concluded in November after featuring several Italian American players. Participants included Jake Gozzo and Vin Timpinelli with the Glendale Desert Dogs, Blair Calvo and Mike Antico with Salt River, Bryce Teodosio with Scottsdale, and Jonah Dipoto and Alex Isola with Surprise.

Chris Antonetti Named MLB Executive of the Year

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Chris Antonetti was named Major League Baseball Executive of the Year at the November General Manager meetings. The Guardians president previously won the award in 2017, while Mariners president Jerry Dipoto finished third. Guardians manager Terry Francona had also been named American League Manager of the Year.

Blake Butera Named Carolina League Manger of the Year

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Blake Butera was named Carolina League Manager of the Year for guiding the Charleston RiverDogs to a franchise-record 88 wins and their second consecutive title. It was his second time receiving the honor. Butera, also a Team Italy assistant, has a 170-82 record in two seasons managing the RiverDogs.

IABF Hot Stove Report

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The offseason includes several notable moves involving Italian American players. Trey Mancini signed a two-year deal with the Cubs after helping Houston win the 2022 World Series, while Nathan Eovaldi joined Texas on a two-year, $34 million contract and Brandon Nimmo remained with the Mets on an eight-year, $162 million deal.

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