Team Italy manager Francisco Cervelli and the Azzurri baseball squad prepare for battle in World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool B action featuring USA, Mexico, Great Britain and Brazil at Daikin Park in Houston from March 7-11, 2026 with two Pre-WBC Exhibition Games against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa on Tuesday, March 3rd and the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Wednesday, March 4th.
2026 Chicago Cubs Spring Training single-game tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, December 5th at 11 am (CST). Sign up to become an Angels Insider by clicking HERE in order to participate in the Angels Insider Spring Training Pre-Sale beginning on Friday, November 21st at 10 am (PT) and continuing through Sunday, November 23rd at 10 pm (PT).
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Giacomo Taschin to a minor league contract on April 30, 2025. He was one of 28 teenage players hailing from 11 countries invited to participate in the 2022 MLB College Showcase in Peoria, Arizona. As part of the MLB World Select Team, the 16-year-old battled in the hot October sun belting out 100+ degrees heat to work out and compete. Pitching coach Roger McDowell, who spent 12 years as an MLB pitcher and registered 159 saves as well as the Game 7 win for the New York Mets in the 1986 World Series, helped him retool his leg work. The gifted Italian lefty welcomed the change and commented, “The mechanics, the adjustments are very good.” It would prove to be pivotal in his transformation to become an elite pitcher.
Having played four seasons in Italy’s Serie A for his hometown club in Rovigo and represented Team Italy in the U15 European Championship, the U18 World Cup, and the U18 European Championship, Giacomo Taschin now hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow Italian-born and developed Los Angeles Angels lefty Samuel Aldegheri.
Toronto Blue Jays international scout Harry Einbinder said, “Watching Giacomo’s development both on and off the field has been incredibly rewarding. He’s a special player with great family support, and we’re excited to see what he can do at the professional level. The watching of a player can take several years. In Giacomo’s case because he was part of several Italian teams that traveled internationally, we have had the opportunity to see him for the last three years. It was really helpful because Italy does such a good job of putting together teams that are under 15 and under 18 that we had an opportunity to see him for several years. I think that his signing helps younger players in Italy but especially players who are starting to play baseball to see that it is realistic to play at the highest level or at least the opportunity to sign with a team in the US or Canada. Obviously it takes a lot of hard work, but it shows that is possible. Hopefully Giacomo’s success will set an example for younger players that is realistic to have a career outside of Italy.”
Giacomo Taschin exclaimed, “I am very happy to have reached this small milestone and starting point of a long journey that I have been wishing for. Thank you to my family, my fellow players and teammates and coaches for helping me achieve this goal that I have been dreaming of for a long time.” Forza #Italia!
Halos manager Ron Washington has recalled pitcher Samuel Aldegheri to launch from Double-A Rocket City to Fenway Park in time for the three-game series against the Boston Red Sox.
Sam Aldegheri has a locker in the #Angels clubhouse
After the Verona,Italy-born hurler made three starts for the Los Angeles Angels last year, Samuel Aldegheri is ready to make his 2025 big league debut after being optioned to the minors during spring training. The 23-year-old lefty has continued his development as a starter this season for the Rocket City Trash Pandaswhere he had posted a 4.54 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 41.2 innings in eight appearances. It is speculated that the first Italian pitcher born in Italy to record a Major League victory since 1949 will be used out of the bullpen for multi-innings of relief since the club’s starting rotation is currently set in stone. Forza #Italia!
The Chicago Cubs signed versatile infielderNicky Lopez to a one-year contract on April 23, 2025 after releasing him earlier in the spring. The Cubbies initially offered a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training on February 7, 2025, but the 30-year-old utility man was one of the final roster cuts before the MLB Tokyo Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. During 2025 Spring Training with the Cubs, he played in nine games and hit .450 (9-for-20).
The Team Italy 2023 World Baseball Classic spark plug (9-for-19, .474 BA, 2B, 3B, BB, SB, 2 R, 7 RBI) was an American League Gold Glove finalist last season while holding down second base for the Chicago White Sox (124 games, .241 BA). The left-handed hitter and speedster has played six seasons in the big leagues, mostly for the Kansas City Royals, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2016.
Nicky Lopez signed with the Los Angeles Angels on March 25, 2025 and made four sporatic MLB appearances (SS, 3B, LF) before being designated for assignment on April 18, 2025 to make room on the Halos roster for fan favorite Zach Neto after returning from the injured list. The proud Italian American has since made a few pinch-hit appearances and played second base for the National League Central first-place Cubs.
Nicky Lopez enjoyed every moment while wearing the Team Italy uniform in the 2023 WBC. He said, “It was an unbelievable experience. Just to be able to do it with Italy, where my ancestors grew up and are from and be able to visit Italy and see what life is like over there. I look forward to actually this next offseason going back there. But I mean, it was unbelievable, and I look forward to (representing) them again. We are proud to wear the shirt with the word Italia on our chest.”
Join the Fullerton Sister City Association as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Fukui, Japan on Japanese Heritage Night at Angel Stadium on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Make sure to arrive well before the 7:07 pm start to enjoy the free pre-game cultural celebration which will feature entertainment for the whole family including a taiko drum performance, food and giveaways. When purchasing tickets through the Fullerton Sister City Association, you will receive an exclusive Japanese-themed Angels jersey before the first pitch at the gate 5 courtyard. In addition, you will be helping Fullerton’s sister city in Tollo, Italy raise funds for members of Tollo Baseball and Softball and the Abruzzo All-Stars realize their dream competing in the USA and joining Team Italy at the2026 World Baseball Classic in Houston. Email FSCAYoung@gmail.com for tickets and more information.
Yusei Kikuchi is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels. Halos manager Ron Washington gave him his first regular-season Opening Day start in his six-year MLB pitching career on March 27, 2025. The crafty Japanese lefty agreed to a three-year deal worth $63 million this offseason and is one of several veterans who was signed to supplement the club’s young core. Prior to the start of the season, the 33-year-old southpaw pitcher had a career 4.57 ERA with 837 strikeouts in 809 2/3 innings and posted a 4.05 ERA with 206 strikeouts in 175 2/3 innings with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros last year. He was particularly impressive pitching for Houston with a 2.70 ERA in 10 starts with 76 strikeouts in 60 innings. On Sunday, April 20, 2025, Kikuchi (3.38 ERA this season) allowed one (unearned) run on five hits over 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and four walks in a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi speaking to media upon his signing
History was made on August 30, 2024 when Samuel Aldegheri became the first Italian-born and developed pitcher in Major League Baseball while starting for the Los Angeles Angels and again on September 6, 2024 when he was the first pitcher born in Italy to record a Major League victory since 1949. The 23-year-old Verona native is currently pitching for Double-A Affiliate Rocket City Trash Pandas, and it won’t be long before the Angels’ Top 5 prospect re-joins the Big League squad in the pennant race.
Italian-born Samuel Aldegheri in action against the Texas Rangers on September 6, 2024
Make sure to catch all the action at the Big A on Saturday night, August 2, 2025 and receive the limited-edition Angels Japanese-themed jersey when purchasing tickets through the Fullerton Sister City Association. Email FSCAYoung@gmail.com for further information.
50% of Americans believe that the supernatural is involved in determining the outcome of sporting events. That percentage includes Americans who pray for God to help their team (26 percent), think their team has been cursed (25 percent) or more generally believe God is involved in determining who wins on the field or on the ice (19 percent). Overall, half of Americans fall into one of these groups, according to a recent Public Religion Research Institute poll.
Many questions remain unanswered, and only God knows the answers. What roles, if any, will Italian-born and developed athletes like pitcher Samuel Aldegheri play in the outcome for the Los Angeles Angels at the Big A and goalie Damian Clara for the Anaheim Ducks just a puck’s throw away at the Honda Center on Wednesday, April 9, 2025? It will be the sixth day of the opening homestand for the Halos after a three-game weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians and the finale of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. It will also be and the second to the last regular season game for the Ducks as they try to extinguish the Calgary Flames on ice. April 9, 2025 is significant because it serves the final opportunity for fans to see both teams in action on the same day by watching the first pitch at 1:07 pm and then later catching the opening face-off at center ice at 7 pm.
In order for both Italians to be on their respective rosters on this particular day, divine intervention and prayers must occur. In the case of the baseball, most MLB teams have a five-man pitching rotation. However, in the case of Samuel Aldegheri, the Verona-born left-handed pitcher has Angels watching over him since Halos manager Ron Washington will protect his rotation early in the season by carrying a sixth starter on their sixth consecutive game of the opening homestand.
History was made on August 30, 2024 when Samuel Aldegheri became the first Italian-born and developed pitcher in Major League Baseball while starting for the Los Angeles Angels and again on September 6, 2024 when he was the first pitcher born in Italy to record a Major League victory since 1949. Lucca-born and San Francisco-raised Marino Pieretti debuted with the Washington Senators in 1945 and earned his first win four years later.
Following his first MLB start against the Seattle Mariners at the Big A on August 30th, Samuel Aldegheri said, “I’m happy for myself and for my family, but I’m happy for my country and for the kids in Italy who might feel like they are nobody, but I just showed them anyone can make it. They have to believe in their dreams and chase them.” Against the Texas Rangers in his first MLB win at Globe Life Park on September 6th, the 23-year-old Italian starter showcased his 94.4 mph four-seam fastball along with his changeup, curveball and slider. By mixing speeds and location throughout his six-inning and seven-strikeout performance, the crafty lefty was able to fool the 2023 World Series Champions. Skipper Ron Washington commented, “He kept a good-swinging team off balance over there. This kid has an idea of how to pitch, and he showed that tonight. He set things up so when he did throw his fastball up in the zone, he got hacks at it.”
Selected in the second round (#60 overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, 19-year-old Damian Clara is the first Italian-born draftee in NHL history and the tallest-ever draftee in Anaheim Ducks franchise history. The 6′ 6″ goaltender from the small town of Brunico in the Dolomites made a big impression on Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, who signed the up-and-coming prospect to a three-year entry-level contract on June 3, 2024.
Damian Clara led Team Italy to a bronze medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship (WJC) Division I, Group B tournament, going 3-1-0 with a 1.25 GAA and .954 SV%. He was named the tourney’s Best Goaltender and Team Italy’s Top Player. He also helped the young Italians win gold at the 2022 WJC Division II tournament, earning the Best Goaltender award. Damian Clara represented the Azzurri in the Division I World Championships in 2021, 2023 and 2024. At 16 years old in May 2021, he became the youngest goaltender to ever appear at the World Championships and the youngest player overall in more than 80 years.
Finding success everywhere he’s played internationally, Damian Clara shined in Sweden before getting drafted, posting a .903 save percentage with a 2.79 goals-against average for Färjestad BK at the J20 level. During the 2023-24 season, Clara went 25-8-0 with four shutouts in the HockeyAllsvenskan–Sweden’s second league–where he was named the top junior player and led Brynäs IF to a Swedish Hockey League (SHL) promotion while on loan for more playing time. During the qualification round, he posted incredible figures, recording a 1.68 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.
Anaheim Ducks Goaltending Coach Sudarshan Maharaj said, “Damien had a pressure-filled season last year, playing for a team that was trying to make the jump back up to the SHL. And when their other goalie unfortunately had to leave the team for personal reasons, Damien was thrust into the starting role and played something like 14 games in a row just trying to establish himself. He did a fantastic job maturing as a goaltender, both technically and mentally. He spent a lot of time on his mental game as well as his technical game and he played some very pressure-filled minutes in the playoffs. Eventually, he was the starting goalie when the team took the step back to the SHL. He had an intense experience last year and he handled it very, very well.”
Although he remains an active force behind Farjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League to gain more valuable experience, the young and promising goaltender’s path to the NHL is clear now that he has secured a three-year entry-level contract with the Ducks. The questions now remains as to when goalie Damian Clara and Angels’ left-handed pitcher Samuel Aldegheri will cross paths in Anaheim. Will divine intervention bring them together in Orange County, California on April 9, 2025?
The writing is on the wall as the Ducks and the Angels have had a series of the cross promotions in the past and have two upcoming events next year. The Ducks are hosting Angels Night on January 7, 2025 and are giving away Angels jerseys to the first 10,000 fans, while the Angels are hosting Ducks Night on September 5, 2025 and handing out Ducks Cooler Bags. At the very least, can we at least have Damian Clara throw out the first pitch to fellow Italian Samuel Aldegheri? Insiders at the Vatican only know…
By purchasing tickets from us to Angels Fan Appreciation Day versus Seattle on September 22,
you support our efforts to bring the Italian Americans at Bat Exhibition to Orange County.Joe DiMaggio is featured prominently in the critically-acclaimed Italian Americans at Bat. The pressure will be on when the Angels host MLB’s first Italian-born-and-developed player–Alex Liddi and the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium on Sunday, September 22. The postseason will be around the corner, and the LA Angels will be in the hunt for an October playoff berth. This will not just be another game for the Halos as they will be playing every contest with a sense of urgency and
a do-or-die attitude. Looking at the 2013 Angels Promotional Calendar, September 22nd is also Angel Team Photo and Fan Appreciation Day–when lucky fans have traditionally come home with loads of freebies including: vacations to five-star resorts, airline tickets, Angels Suites and Group Night tickets, amusement park passes, fitness club memberships, pool tables, BBQ grills, flatscreen TVs, BluRays, iPods, Flip Video Cams and even new tires. The incomparable DiMaggio brothers: Vince DiMaggio, Joe DiMaggio and Dom DiMaggio
Join us on September 22 for Fan Appreciation Day September 22nd takes on more significance as it marks the start of our fundraising efforts to bring the Museo Italo Americano of San Francisco’s craftfully-curated Italian Americans at Bat: From Sand Lots to the Major Leagues Exhibit one step closer to Orange County in 2014. The exhibit documents not only the important role that Italian Americans have played in “America’s favorite pastime”, but also the role that baseball played in the assimilation of Italians into American culture. The great DiMaggio brothers are among the coveted stars featured in the exhibition.Everyone gets an Angels Team Photo on 9/22/13.
The Angels have had its share of Italian Americans on its roster in the past. Two prominent players who resonated in the hearts of hardcore Angels fans–Jim Fregosi and Tony Conigliaro–are included in the celebrated Italian Americans at Bat Exhibit. Fregosi became the Angels’ first budding star during the team’s initial eleven seasons of play from 1961-71. He led the American League in double plays twice, won the 1967 Gold Glove Award and set a franchise record with 70 career triples. Fregosi went on to manage the Angels at age 36 and guided the team to its first-ever postseason appearance in 1979. Conigliaro played for the Angels in 1971 but was never the same MLB All-Star after being hit by a tragic fastball thrown by Angels’ pitcher Jack Hamilton in 1967.
Italian American Chris Iannetta caught Jared Weaver’s no-hitter on May 2, 2012 in Anaheim.
Italian-born Alex Liddi of the Seattle Mariners brings his big bat to Anaheim on September 22nd. The modern day Italian Americans in MLB include Angels’ catcher, Chris Iannetta. His parents, Maria and Domenic, both moved from villages near Naples to the East Coast as children. Raised in Rhode Island, Chris still has strong ties to his relatives living in Italy. Iannetta had the opportunity to honor his heritage and play for Team Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. When a roster spot opened up on the Team USA roster after Joe Mauer was unable to participate in the international tournament due to injury, he declined the Italian invitation and opted to play for Team USA instead. Ineligible to play in the 2013 WBC because of the amount of time he spent on the disabled list in 2012, Iannetta did not have to make the difficult decision of which team to play for this past March. The 30-year-old veteran, who proudly identifies with Italian American heritage, watched Team Italy with interest and pride in the WBC. “They played really well. It was fun to watch,” said Iannetta.Show your colors by purchasing a ticket from us to Angels Fan Appreciation Day on September 22nd. Part of the reason Team Italy was so fun to watch was because of Mariners’ Alex Liddi. The Italian infielder played stellar defense and wrecked havoc on opposing pitchers in the WBC. Now in this third season for Seattle, Liddi is the face of European baseball in MLB. See him live in action against the Angels on September 22nd and help bring Italian Americans at Bat to Orange County by purchasing your tickets from us at 949-870-5987.Jim Fregosi, one of only five Angels to have their number retired, had his jersey retired in 1998.
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