La Squadra Azzurri

Team Italy Infielders in the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Roberto AngottiLeave a comment

Vinnie Pasquantino AKA “Pasquatch” and “The Italian Nightmare” was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 11th round (319th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Old Dominion University, He made his professional debut in 2019 with the Rookie-level Burlington Royals, hitting .294 with 14 home runs and 53 RBI in 57 games. After a hiatus iin 2020 due to the pandemic, he produced impressive offensive prowess in 2021 while moving up from Single-A to Double-A.

The left-handed slugger and reliable first baseman began 2022 in Triple-A before making his MLB debut on June 28, 2022. During his rookie season, he earned American League Player of the Week honors. Last season he established himself as Royals’ most dependable hitter, batting .264 with 32 home runs and 113 RBI (6th in MLB). With a big-league career .266 average with 70 homers and 262 RBI to date, Pasquantino brings consistent offensive production with power, elite plate discipline and clutch hitting ability to the Team Italy lineup.

Miles Mastrobuoni was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 14th round (420th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Nevada, Reno. Throughout his minor league career in the Rays organization, the versatile infielder posted strong offensive numbers, including a .300 batting average with 16 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 129 games at Triple-A in 2022,

Mastrobuoni made his MLB debut on September 22, 2022 and was traded later to the Chicago Cubs on November 15, 2022, He made the 2023 Cubs’ Opening Day roster and spent parts of the 2023 and 2024 seasons with Chicago. On January 14, 2025, Mastrobuoni was traded to the Seattle Mariners. In 2025 he played multiple infield and outfield positions, while providing speed offensively on the bases (22 career steals). Known for his steady contact and situational hitting, the Mariners’ prized utility player is often used off the bench as a pinch-hitter since he can move runners on the bases and possesses excellent bat control.

Jon Berti was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round (559th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Bowling Green State University, where he set multiple school hitting records, including single-season batting average and hit total. Berti made his MLB debut with the Jays on September 26, 2018 before playing for the Miami Marlins from 2019-2023. He showcased his speed and versatility, playing multiple positions in the infield and outfield. The consummate utility player had a breakout season in 2022, when he led MLB in stolen bases (41) in just 102 games and set a record for the fewest games played in a full season by an MLB stolen-base champion. He also set a Marlins franchise record with 21 consecutive stolen bases without being caught in 2022.

Berti was traded to the New York Yankees in 2024 and contributed as a versatile professional who saw postseason action, including starts at first base during the playoffs. He signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2025 after establishing himself as a high-energy player with elite speed and excellent baserunning instincts. The proud Italian American brings his seasoned veteran presence with over eight years of MLB experience and a career .256 batting average to the Team Italy roster.

Thomas Saggese was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 5th round (145th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Carlsbad High School. After playing his first two high school seasons at Rancho Bernardo High School, he transferred to Carlsbad as a junior and hit .422 with a .500 OBP. Saggese also tied for the San Diego Section lead with 10 home runs to earn the right to play in the San Diego Section All-Star game alongside Marcelo Mayer and Spencer Jones.

The California native made his professional debut in 2021 in Low-A, where he showcased the pop in his bat. He climbed the Rangers’ minor league system in 2022, when he was recognized as an MiLB.com Organizational All-Star, Baseball America High Class A All-Star and South Atlantic League Post-Season All-Star after hitting 15 home runs and becoming an offensive weapon. Saggese was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on July 30, 2023, and shortly after earned Texas League MVP and Post-Season All-Star honors as a result of a batting average over .300 with 26 home runs and 111 RBI in 139 games between Double-A and Triple-A. He made his MLB debut on September 10, 2024 and went on to play in 18 games that season. The versatile infielder split time between Triple-A Memphis and the Cardinals in 2025, when he appeared in 82 games with starts at second base, shortstop, and third base. Saggese put together a .258 batting average with two homers and 25 RBI. Known for strong contact skills and the ability to drive the ball with extra bases — a skill that made him a standout in the minors, the Team Italy shortstop will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Zach Dezenzo was selected in the 12th round (373rd overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft (373rd overall) out of Ohio State University, where he earned recognition as a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball after a strong debut campaign which included double-digit home runs. Dezenzo began his pro career in Single-A with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers and climbed the Astros’ system steadily. In 2023, he impressed with power and improved contact skills, hitting 14 home runs and maintaining solid production as he moved from High-A to Double-A. He also saw action in the Arizona Fall League, gaining respected experience against top prospects.

Dezenzo made his MLB debut on August 6, 2024 and became the first alumnus of the MLB Draft League to reach the big leagues. In 2025, he made the Astros’ Opening Day roster and appeared in 34 games, batting .245 with two home runs and 10 RBI before an injury sidelined him mid-season. Dezenzo is noted for his size and power potential, possessing strong bat speed and extra-base hit ability. Defensively he has played first base, third base, and in the corner outfield, providing positional flexibility. Scouts and reports praise his improving bat-to-ball skills, which helped him sustain offensive production as he moved up in the minor leagues.

Andrew Fischer was selected in the 1st round (20th overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers out of the University of Tennessee. He began his college baseball journey at Duke University, where he set the program’s freshman home run record (11) in 47 games. Fischer then transferred to the University of Mississippi for his sophomore season, leading the team in home runs, hits, RBI, and total bases, which earned him All-Region and Second Team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors. After another transfer to the University of Tennessee for the 2025 season, he had a monumental year: hitting .341/.497/.760 with 25 home runs, 65 RBI, and 70 runs scored as well as reaching base in all 65 games played. Fischer led the SEC in home runs and ranked among conference leaders in on-base percentage and slugging. Named First Team All-SEC and First Team All-American, his outstanding performance made him one of the top college bats in the country and a coveted prospect for the 2025 draft.

For the Milwaukee Brewers High-A affiliate Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the promising third baseman played in 13 games and hit .311 with one homer, 13 RBI, eight runs scored and eight stolen bases. Fischer is considered one of the Brewers’ top prospects and a potential future middle-of-the-order hitter due to his rare combination of contact skills, power, and plate discipline. Blessed with plus power to all fields from the left side of the plate, he generates consistent extra-base hits. while possessing a strong eye at the plate and high walk rates. With the ability to play the corner infield, Fischer offers defensive versatility as he develops into a budding star. He is currently the top MLB third base prospect according to both MLB PipeLine and Baseball America.

Sam Antonacci was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Coastal Carolina University, where he slashed .367/.523/.504 with six home runs and 47 RBI in Division I competition. Known for his disciplined hitting, high on-base skills, and speed, Antonacci is one of the White Sox’s top prospects. He starred at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield, Illinois, batting over .530 as a senior and began his college career at Heartland Community College. As a sophomore, Antonacci led NJCAA Division II in batting average (.515), RBI (103), runs (105), hits (106), doubles (32) and on-base percentage (.618) to earn 2023 NJCAA Division II Player of the Year honors and help Heartland win a national title before transferring to Coastal Carolina University. He started all 61 games at third base for Coastal during the 2024 season, slashing .367/.523/.504. His .367 batting average and .523 on-base percentage led Coastal’s offense. Antonacci, who reached base safely in the first 44 games of the season, totaled 83 hits, 13 doubles, and six home runs that year. Defensively, he finished the season with a .911 fielding percentage at third base. In 169 chances, he recorded 55 putouts, 99 assists, and was part of nine double plays.

Antonacci made his professional debut with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Low-A) in 2024, hitting .333 with 14 RBI in his first 23 games. In 2025, he split time between the Winston-Salem Dash (High-A) and the Birmingham Barons (Double-A). Over the course of 116 games, Antonacci hit .291 with five home runs, 57 RBI, and 48 stolen bases, proving his lightning speed and contact ability. He earned White Sox Minor League Player of the Month (June 2025) for his high OPS and impact on the base paths. After the 2025 regular season, he excelled in the Arizona Fall League, slashing .378/.505/.541 with 11 stolen bases in 19 games, further boosting his prospect status. Known for his disciplined approach at the plate with high walk rates and strong contact ability. Antonacci possesses excellent on-base skills as his stolen base totals are among the best in the White Sox system. In addition, he offers position versatility, having played second base, shortstop, and third base in the minors. Heading into 2026, Antonacci is one of Chicago’s fastest-rising prospects since he is on the cusp of reaching Triple-A and destined to reach MLB sooner than expected. MLBPipeLine ranks him the 10th MLB second base prospect and the 11th Chicago White Sox prospect.

Signed by the New York Yankees in 2011, Renzo Martini spent five years in the minor leagues before playing in his native Venezuela. During his six-season career playing in Italy’s Serie A, corner infielder Renzo Martini has compiled an impressive .368 batting average with 63 doubles, 19 home runs, 167 RBI and 85 walks. He led Team Italy to a silver medal in the 2025 Senior Elite European Baseball Championship in Rotterdam, where the Azzurri cleanup hitter slashed .480/.552/.640 with five RBI during the competition. The corner infielder rose to the occasion in the Euro semifinal game against the Czech Republic on September 26th and hit for the cycle while scoring three runs and picking up three RBI. As a result, Renzo Martini earned the 2025 European Baseball Championship Best Hitter award. He now joins Team Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Italy calls on pitcher Alex Maestri in 2013 World Baseball Classic win-or-go-home showdown

Roberto Angotti1 Comment

Pitcher Alex Maestri is representing Team Italy for the fourth time in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Starting pitcher Alex Maestri is representing Italy
for the fourth time in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
The first Italian-born pitcher signed
by MLB is experiencing a renaissance. The two-time MiLB All-Star spent five seasons in the Chicago Cubs system. Alex Maestri later ventured Down Under, where he would be named 2011 Australian Baseball League (ABL) Team World All-Star and given the inaugural ABL Fan Choice Award. When I first met the 27-year-old right-hander at the Italian MLB Academy near Pisa last year, he told me that the Kagawa Olive Guyners wanted him to pitch in Japan. He took on the the role of the team’s closer and was a knock out from day one. In each of the two months he played for Kagawa in 2012, he was named the indy league’s pitcher of the month.

Closer Alessandro Maestri was not afraid to show his winning Italian spirit by striking out Jayson Nix to beat Team U.S.A. for the first time in 21 years during the 2007 Baseball World Cup on November 9, 2007.
Closer Alessandro Maestri was not afraid to show his Italian winning spirit by striking out Jayson Nix to beat Team USA for the first time in 21 years during the 2007 Baseball World Cup hosted by Chinese Taipei.
On July 9, 2012, Maestri’s contract was purchased by the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) League. He worked diligently to advance from the farm team to the top-ranked league in Japan. In his NPB debut for the Orix Buffaloes, the international baseball ambassador from Italy pitched 6.1 innings to earn his first victory while allowing just one run with four hits and striking out five. He went on to dominate in the NPB and made seven more starts for the 2012 Orix Buffaloes. Posting a 4-3 record with a 2.17 ERA,
Alex Maestri averaged nearly one strikeout per inning
(49.2 innings/40 K). He was equally impressive during his 2011/12 ABL campaign. The Brisbane Bandits pitcher finished third in the ABL in innings pitched (63.2) and strikeouts (53), fourth in WHIP (1.16) and sixth in ERA (3.25). In Round Eight of the regular season, he earned Australian Baseball League Pitcher of the Week honors after throwing a stellar complete game two-hitter against the Canberra Cavalry.
Alex Maestri pitched for the Brisbane Bandits during the 2011/12 ABL season.
Alex Maestri pitched for the Brisbane Bandits during the 2011/12 ABL season.
wbc_logo Team Italy starting pitcher Alex Maestri faces Team Puerto Rico today at 7pm (EST) in a win-or-go-home showdown televised live on the MLB Network from Marlins Park in Miami. He and his fellow Italian teammates are ready to show the world that the defending European Champions are loaded with talent ready to lock and load in the competitive 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Roberto: Welcome back to the USA!
Alex Maestri: How are doing Roberto? It’s nice to talk to you. I’m feeling good. It’s been a long journey coming here. Everything is good. I’m glad to be with the Italian national team now. I’m looking forward to this WBC tournament and this year coming up.

Roberto: After your successful campaign for the Japan Professional League’s Orix Buffaloes, the team has really stepped up its efforts in recruiting players from overseas.
Alex Maestri: Yeah, you know, every year the team signs foreign players. This year we got seven so we’re probably going to have to rotate. That’s stuff that I can’t control, but it’s going to be fun. The team looks very good. We have a lot of Japanese players that are pretty good and young so I think it’s going to be an exciting year.

Roberto: Did you enjoy the food in Japan?
Alex Maestri: The food there is great. It’s so good. I heard good things about Japanese food before I went there, and when I got there I really appreciated it. Their cuisine is not all about sushi like we think. That’s what I thought too before I went there, but they actually have a huge variety of good food. It’s all very, very good.

Roberto: Did you find a good plate of pasta there?
Alex Maestri: Actually, you know what, they are very good at cooking pasta too. They can reproduce everything very well. They are very good at learning about other cultures and making it theirs.

Roberto: The Japanese have the longest life span. So they must be doing something right.
Alex Maestri: They are doing a lot of things right.

Roberto: Your Japanese YouTube video is amazing. Have you ever been in the spotlight like that before?
Alex Maestri: Not at all. That was like the first time. After the game, the player of the game gets interviewed in front of the fans in the stadium and put on the big screen. My debut was actually a great game. I got to do that right on the field. It was cool. This fan had this Italian flag with him, and he came all the way close to the dugout. He passed the flag to one of the reporters who gave it to me. So it was good, it was good seeing the colors of Italy in Japan.
I was very proud too to represent those colors in a good way.

Roberto: It almost had an Olympic feel to it.
Alex Maestri: Yeah, you see those gold medal runners walking around the track with their flags. I was just standing around though. It was a really a weird day. I really didn’t feel uncomfortable. I really didn’t know what was going on.

Roberto: It must have been an adrenalin rush.
Alex Maestri: It was during the game. Afterwards, I was just relaxed and happy. I was done pitching, and we won the game.milbRoberto: Tell me about what you remember most about playing Minor League Baseball.
Alex Maestri: I was here in the states for six years, and five of those six years were with the Cubs. I have a lot of great memories with that team. The game that I remember the most was a Cubs Spring Training game, and I was with the big league team against the A’s. They gave me one inning, and it was pretty good.
Roberto: And you got to face Italian American Jason “Giambino” Giambi.
Alex Maestri: Actually Giambi is the only one who actually got a hit off me. I faced four guys, and three (Orlando Cabrera, Matt Holliday and Eric Chavez) of the four were strikeouts.
Roberto: Since he is Italian, were you giving him a free pass to first base?
Alex Maestri: (Laughing) Yeah, I guess so.

Italian American Jason "Giambino" Giambi was the only A's hitter to get on base versus Alex Maestri.
Italian American Jason “Giambino” Giambi was the only A’s hitter to get on base against pitcher Alex Maestri in a 2009 Chicago Cubs Spring Training game under Cubbie manager Lou Pinella.
Roberto: Let’s talk about the development of baseball in Italy. Is playing on Team Italia like serving in the Italian military and serving your country?
Alex Maestri: Yeah, I mean in Italy we have a lot of good players. It’s a shame that there is not much money supporting baseball so it’s not easy to develop guys. But we have the Italian MLB Academy now, and you know it’s doing very good. There are some young players that are doing some really nice work. And there’s more and more scouts going down there to look at them. It’s a pleasure for me to represent the country all over the world. And even if I just play for myself on the team that I play with, I always play for my colors, I’m always proud of that.
Alessandro Maestri with Italian teammates Pat Venditte, Luca Panerati and Alessandro Vaglio. (Photo by Michele Gallerani/FIBS)
Alessandro Maestri with Italian teammates Pat Venditte, Luca Panerati and Alessandro Vaglio during a break while at Oakland A’s Minor League facility. (Photo by MG-Oldmanagency / FIBS)
Roberto: Forza Italia! Forza Azzurri!
Alex Maestri: Yeah, per sempre Forza Azzurri!

Roberto: You don’t take any prisoners when you pitch, and you proudly wear your colors on your sleeve. It shows that you pour your heart and soul every time you step on the mount to throw.
Alex Maestri: Yeah, I think that’s what you have to do on the mound. You’re not always going to succeed. But that’s the attitude you’ve got to have to pitch.

Roberto: Italy pitching coach Bill Holmberg has changed the mindsets of many on this staff for the better.
Alex Maestri: Bill has been my pitching coach forever. He has known me since I was a kid And you know I started working with him when I was 18-year-old and started to go to the Italian MLB Academy. But even before that he was working with me. He’s my main pitching coach. I always try to go the Academy during the offseason and have a few workouts with him. I really like the way he teaches pitching. I think everybody, all the pitchers that get to work with him, they appreciate his work.

Roberto: He was the one who wrote your name on a scouting report for the Chicago Cubs, and the next thing you know you were signed to MLB.
Alex Maestri: At the time he was an international scout for the Chicago Cubs, and you know I was doing pretty good. I was young and I was doing good for my team. And he said that he was going to take a chance and sign me. He said that I could make the Big Leagues. He really believed in me. He gave me a great opportunity to come over and gave me a chance to play in the states.

Pitching coach Bill Holmber and hitting coach Mike Piazza (Michele Gallerani / FIBS)
Italia pitching coach Bill Holmberg and hitting coach Mike Piazza (MG-Oldmanagency / FIBS)
Roberto: Mike Piazza could be doing else, but instead he chooses to with you as the hitting coach for Team Italy.
Alex Maestri: We really love that. It’s great to have him around in the dugout. He’s like doing this for fun. He enjoys working with us… That’s why we appreciate it so much. I think he is positively influencing the program that we have. The fact that the team is winning and improving proves it. So that’s why he keeps coming back.

Roberto: Coach Piazza helps pitchers as well, right?
Alex Maestri: Oh definitely. We always have meetings in the morning.. He comes in with Bill and always says his opinion on our pitching. He was one of the best catchers in the game so he obviously knows a lot about pitching too. It’s just great having him around.

Roberto: Being the underdog, Team Italy plays like there is no tomorrow.
Alex Maestri: I guess it’s kind of normal since baseball is not so developed in Italy. People don’t really respect Italian baseball, but you know it’s kind of like the fun part of playing. Nobody really thinks that we are strong. But I think we are a very good team actually, and we should again surprise a lot of people around the world.

Roberto: It this also an opportunity to play on the world’s stage to show MLB what they missed out on?
Alex Maestri: I don’t think I have to have any sort of revenge, I just want to play good for myself and my country. I was here in the states, and they gave me a great opportunity to play here. I had a lot of great experiences here so it’s not like I’m mad at anybody. Things just went that way. I had a tough year in 2010 so it’s normal that I got released. You know I’m still playing baseball. I’ve got a great opportunity now in Japan. I just love what I do so like I said before I am just going to play for my country and not for anybody else.

Roberto: You look healthy and happy. With this Italian team playing to win, I know you are going to give it your all.
Alex Maestri: Yeah, I think a few years back, the Italian national team just went out playing a few tournaments to kind of like participate. But now with manager Marco Mazzieri, you have a very good attitude and it rubs off on all the players. Now you have a very strong group that won two European Championships back-to-back. And now everybody is starting to feel confident about themselves. And in baseball that’s what is about—confidence. You know we got ability so we need to be confident and just go out there and play baseball.

Team Italy pitcher Alex Maestri was once regarded as having the best slider in the Cubs organization.
Alex Maestri had some serious movement on his arsenal of pitches in the 2009 WBC.
Roberto: You have a wicked slider which was once regarded as one of the best in the entire Chicago Cubs organization.
Alex: I’ve got my pitches like everybody else. I just got to keep working on them and make them as confusing as I can for hitters.

Roberto: In prior in WBC competitions, you have been stellar. I hope that you will continue to shine in the upcoming 2013 WBC.
Alex Maestri: Yeah, you know, that’s the plan. We always try to do our best. And that’s what I’m trying to do this time around. Right now I’m getting ready and going day-by-day. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I’ll definitely give my best effort.

Roberto: Are there any players in the WBC that you know from you days in MiLB?
Alex Maestri: The only guys that I remember is catcher Chris Robinson from Canada. We were in the same organization. We never really played together. I have played against many of the USA players like Mike (Giancarlo) Stanton and Jonathan Lucroy. It’s cool facing them again in the World Baseball Classic.

Roberto: Every pitch has to count with the WBC pitch limits in place.
Alex Maestri: Yeah, that’s kind of like the plan every time you go out. You know it’s a team sport so everybody is going to have do his own thing. I know that I will do my part with my pitching, but once I’m done with my pitches then there is someone else coming in to take over. We just all have to do this together, and it’s going to be touch. We’re playing the best teams in the world, and it’s going to be hard work. So we’re going to have to be really focused.

Roberto: You have to execute.
Alex Maestri: Yeah, you’ve got to be able to execute and if you don’t you just lose games. That’s why we play this game. You know, we enjoy that part of it.

Italia pitcher Alessandro Maestri will face Team Canada in the WBC. (Michele Gallerani / FIBS)
Italia pitcher Alessandro Maestri beat Canada in the 2013 WBC. (MG-Oldmanagency / FIBS)

Roberto: What does it mean to be an Italian playing baseball?
Alex Maestri: I just started to play baseball because of my brother. At the time I wasn’t really watching any baseball on TV. I started doing that later on, but it was cool seeing all those guys with Italian names written on the back of their jerseys. I just grew up hoping that one day that I would be able to take their place.

Roberto: With the influx of MLB players now joining Team Italy, how will it change the personality of La Squadra Azzurri.
Alex Maestri: I think it’s going to be the same. We have a good personality now. Those players are going to definitely improve the level. Because obviously they are Big League players and they have more experience than we do. It’s going to make the team better, but I don’t think it will change the personality of the team.

Roberto: You are representing Italy on all corners of the earth wherever you compete.
Alex Maestri: I feel like it. I always travel the world and play baseball in different countries. But my roots are always with me so I feel very proud of that. I’m sure all the other guys feel proud of that too—even the Big League players that are going to play for us. We already had a bunch of them in the World Baseball Classic, and they play as hard as we do. They want to win, and it’s just going to be great to do it all together.

Alex Liddi and Alex Maestri
Migliori Amici Alex Liddi and Alessandro Maestri

Roberto: Any favorites? Has the Dodgers’ Nick Punto lived up to his name as the shredder by tearing the jersey off walk-off heroes after Team Italy victories?
Alex Maestri: I don’t know about Punto, but another guy who had an unbelievable WBC tournament was Chris Denorfia. At the tournament, he really gave everything he had. He made some great plays defensively and had some clutch hits so it’s going to be good to see him again. Jason Grilli has been with us for the first two World Baseball Classics. He’s just a great guy. He loves to come and play for us. Alex Liddi, of course, is one of my best friends.
I haven’t seen him in a long time. I saw him the other day, and it was just great seeing him again. He’s really family. I feel like his brother. And all the other guys that are going to come are going to be very welcome.

Roberto: You will be in the capable hands of catchers Drew Butera from the Minnesota Twins and Tyler LaTorre from the San Francisco Giants. Have you ever worked with them before?
Alex Maestri: Actually not. I haven’t had the pleasure to work with them yet. It’s going to happen in the WBC.RizzoRoberto: Since you were in the same organization as the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo, it will be sort of a Cubbie reunion with two Italians on the same team.
Alex Maestri: Yeah, I heard really a lot of good things about him. We both played for the same organization so it will be good.

Roberto: Anything else you would like to say before we sign off?
Alex Maestri: I’d like to say hi to everybody. I would like to thank the great people all over the world. I really enjoy what I’m doing now. I might not be enjoying this for the past seven years if it had not been for them. Thanks!

Roberto: I really enjoyed meeting you at the Italian MLB Academy and talking with you today here in Arizona prior to the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Thanks for your time!
Alex: Thank you very much, and thank you for the work you do for Team Italy. It’s good to have somebody who really cares about this team and tries to promote the team as much as you do. Thank you for doing that.
Roberto: Thank you. It’s my pleasure. I believe in you and Italian baseball. God bless Italia! italy colors

Mike Piazza gives back to the game while coaching Team Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic

Roberto Angotti5 Comments

Team Italy hitting coach Mike Piazza gives some sound advice to infielder Anthony Granato in the 2010 European Baseball Championship Finals.
Team Italy hitting coach Mike Piazza gives
some sound advice to Anthony Granato in the 2010 European Baseball Championship Finals.
Mike Piazza is a soldier recruiting a whole new generation of European athletes to play ball. “This has become a passion for me. I’m trying to help grow the game in Italy. We want to encourage the kids to play baseball in Italy and realize that you know, soccer is a great game and it’s a great game to play and everyone plays it, but baseball can be viable over there, too.” said Team Italy hitting coach Piazza. He is serious about promoting baseball abroad with Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball and exploring his deep Sicilian roots. “This commitment I have with the Italian Federation is something I really care about. I feel a strong tie to Italy, since my heritage is there. My grand-father Rosario came from Sciacca, Sicily, to the United States and my father grew me up following the Italian tradition…”FIBS_Logo
Rediscovering his ancestry in Italy and helping to make baseball relevant there are big priorities for the 12-time MLB All-Star. However, Piazza won’t deny his American upbringing. “I do not pretend to say what is not true,” he admitted. “I grew up as an American boy. Now, getting older, I understand the value of my heritage and I want to give some-thing back to Italy. I just got back from Italy, and I am doing a lot of research on my family roots from Sicily. During your baseball career, you really can’t focus on things like that because you are concentrating on playing. I’m not trying to reinvent my identity and say I’m doing the reverse Christopher Columbus thing.”return to italia
The all-time leading catcher with 427 home runs (.308 batting average) over his 16-year career and future Baseball Hall of Famer was coached by some of MLB’s best. The proud Team Italy coach Piazza said, “When I was coming up with the Dodgers I learned from Reggie Smith, and he was a direct disciple of Ted Williams. I really benefitted a lot from good coaching, so I feel I can impart my knowledge, and that is my way of giving back to the game. You can tell, obviously with our success and winning two European Championships since I’ve been there, it works…”
Coaches Tommy Lasorda and Reggie Smith led Team USA to the gold after beating Cuba in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Coaches Tommy Lasorda and Reggie Smith served as Piazza’s mentors after leading Team USA to the gold by defeating Cuba in the 2000 Olympic Games.
Upon retiring as a player, Reggie Smith spent time coaching in the Dodgers’ farm system before joining Tommy Lasorda’s staff in Los Angeles, where he remained from 1994 to 1999 as the team’s batting coach and first base coach. He later served as USA Baseball’s hitting instructor
from 1999 to 2008. Piazza hopes to emulate Smith’s coaching excellence with Team Italy. He said, “The players really listen, and it’s fun for me. I get a lot of joy from doing that. I’m not a huge ‘change a guy’ type of coach, I keep it simple. I’m not very autocratic. I don’t try to pound my system into guys. To me, hitting is personal.”
Tommy Lasorda and Mike Piazza
Tommy Lasorda and Mike Piazza love Italia!
When former Team USA skipper Tommy Lasorda played against Italy in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, the Dodger icon reflected on the sacrifice his late father, Sabbatino, made for the his family in search of a better life in America. He,
like many other Italians near the turn of the 20th century, came here from the Abruzzi region south of Rome seeking relief from the rough winters and hard terrain. However, unlike Lasorda–who wore the red, white and blue–Mike Piazza gives back to “La Squadra Azzurri” Team Italy as a fitting tribute to his grandfather Rosario from Sicilia and faces Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic at Chase Field in Phoenix on March 9th. Frecce tricolori