Roberto Angotti

Team Italy Catchers in the 2023 World Baseball Classic

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BRETT SULLIVAN

Selected by the Tampa Bays Rays in the 17th round of the 2015 draft out of the University of Pacific Stockton native Brett Sullivan remained in the same organization until late 2021 when he signed a short-lived minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The veteran minor league catcher and outfielder was traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Victor Caratini on April 6, 2022.  During the 2022 season, he played Triple-A ball and compiled a .285 batting average with nine home runs and 81 RBI. Although catcher has been his primary position, he has also played third base and left field during seven-year minor league career.    

VITO FRESCIA JR.

The catcher/first baseman from New York won the 2015 Power Showcase Home Run Derby at Marlins Park in Miami and enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Hofstra University. Vito Friscia Jr. was selected in the 40th round of the 2019 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. After playing Double-A and Triple-A ball during the 2022 season, he was named MiLB Organization All-Star by the Philadelphia Phillies. Vito made his Team Italy debut at the 2021 European Championship, where the slugger hit three home runs in games against Austria, Croatia and Israel (10-for-19 with 11 RBI). He returned again in 2022 playing for the Azzurri during Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands. 

DOMINIC MIROGLIO

Selected in the 40th round of 2013 draft by the Oakland Athletics and also in the 16th round of the 2016 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, catcher Dominic Miroglio chose not to sign in order to attend college at UCLA and the University of San Francisco. Once again selected in the 20th round of the 2017 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, he signed a minor league contract and quickly became one of the most highly-rated catchers within the D-backs organization. The 2018 Baseball America High-A All-Star made his way to Triple-A last season for 63 games and hit 10 home runs. 

ALBERTO MINEO

Growing up in Gorizia and playing for Ronchi dei Legionari New Black Panthers as a youth, catcher and first baseman Alberto Mineo signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs at age 16 on November 20, 2010. He remained in the Cubs organization for seven years before being claimed on the waiver wire by the Toronto Blue Jays on December 14, 2017. He reached as high as Triple-A ball in 2018. Mineo spent 2019 in Double-A before being signing another minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on February 12, 2020 and later returning to Italy, where he won two straight European Cups in Parma (2021-22). Having made his national senior team debut at the 2015 Premier 12 and subsequently represented Team Italy in all other major international competitions (he has played 50 total games with the national team), he is one of the finest Italian-born and developed players in recent history. 

Team Italy Outfielders in the 2023 World Baseball Classic

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BEN DELUZIO

Ben DeLuzio is a solid outfielder who made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on September 1, 2022 and subsequently made two appearances in the postseason. After signing as a free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016, he later played AAA ball with the Reno Aces in 2019 and 2021. Then the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 2021 MiLB Rule 5 Draft. He recently signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs with hopes of landing an MLB roster spot.   

SAL FRELICK

Sal Frelick will represent Team Italy at the 2023 WBC as one of the starting outfielders. Born and raised in Boston, the 22-year-old is among the top 30 MLB prospects in addition to being the Milwaukee Brewers’ top prospect. A first round pick in the 2021 draft, Sal is a reliable lefty who hit .331 with 28 doubles, six triples, 11 HR and 59 RBI during the 2022 season between his stints in High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. He was named 2022 MiLB All-Star by the Milwaukee Brewers.  

DOMINIC FLETCHER

Brother to MLB veteran David Fletcher, Dominic Fletcher was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round of the 2019 draft and most recently played for the Triple-A Reno Aces in 2022 when he hit 301/.368/.452 with 29 doubles, eight triples and five HR and in 101 games played. A highly-touted collegiate all-star out of the University of Arkansas, he played in the 2018 College World Series. Dominic was later named 2019 and 2021 MiLB Organization All-Star by the Arizona Diamondbacks.  

Team Italy Infielders in the 2023 World Baseball Classic

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DAVID FLETCHER

California native and infielder David Fletcher is one of the most important figures within the Los Angeles Angels’ clubhouse. His mother, Fernanda Fletcher, grew up in Italy and taught him Italian at a young age.  The trilingual David, who is also fluent in Spanish, was selected by the LA Angels in the sixth round of the 2015 draft and made his MLB debut for the Halos in 2018 when he showed his versatility playing second base, third base and shortstop. His best season of his five-year MLB career came in 2020 where he hit .319/.376/.435 with three HR and 18 RBI in 49 games played.  

NICKY LOPEZ

Lefty bat and speedster Nicky Lopez will wear the Azzurri uniform at the 2023 WBC. The 27-year-old infielder will begin his fifth season in the Kansas City Royals organization. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft out of Creighton University and made his MLB debut on May 14, 2019. Lopez has played a total of 451 MLB games and was one the best hitters in the American League in 2021 when he put together an impressive .300 batting average in 151 games played. During the 2022 season, the middle infielder appeared in 141 games splitting time at second base, third base and shortstop. He was successful in 13 of 16 stolen base attempts.  

VINNIE PASQUANTINO

Selected in the 11th round of the 2018 draft by the Kansas City Royals out of Old Dominion University, first baseman and designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino made his MLB debut on June 28, 2022 and has since become a Kansas City Royals fan favorite. His power and offensive productivity has earned him the nickname “Italian Nightmare” by Kansas City Royals icon George Brett, of “Italian Nightmare” to represent the fear he puts in opposing pitchers’ heads before facing him. Other nicknames such as “Pasquatch” have also surfaced since being called up. During his 72 MLB games in 2022, Richmond, Virginia native compiled a .295 batting average with 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 26 RBI.   

MILES MASTROBUONI

Selected in the 14th round of the 2016 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays out of the University of Nevada, California native Miles Mastrobuoni made his MLB debut on September 22, 2022 after spending seven seasons in the minor leagues. In 2022, the 27-year-old utilityman appeared in 129 Triple-A games and put together a .300 batting average with 16 home runs, 32 doubles, three triples and 16 home runs. The speedster was also successful in 23 of 26 stolen base attempts. Primarily a middle infielder with some outfield MLB experience, Mastrobuoni was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for RHP Alfredo Zarraga on November 15, 2022.  

ROBEL GARCIA

Dominican-born infielder Robel Garcia was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Indians in June 2010. He spent four years in the minor leagues before playing in Italy (Imola and Bologna) in 2016. Robel later signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on October 31, 2018 after a strong camp with the Italian national team in Arizona and made his MLB debut on July 3, 2019. He was later named 2019 MiLB Organization All-Star by the Chicago Cubs. After playing 31 games for the Chicago Cubs during the 2019 season, Garcia added more MLB experience to his resume in 2021 when he joined the Houston Astros for 47 games. He made his Team Italy debut in 2017 playing in the Super 6 tournament in the Netherlands, where he went 9-for-16 with three HR, 7 RBI and completed the cycle against Belgium. Robel returned to the Azzurri squad during Haarlem Baseball Week. 

JOHN VALENTE

Selected in the 21st round of the 2018 draft by the Detroit Tigers out of St. John’s University, the 27-year-old New York native and utility player John Valente has made his way up to Triple-A playing second base, third base and left field for the 2022 Toledo Mud Hens. He slashed .293/.355/.390 with two home runs, 26 RBI and a career-high 14 stolen bases. 

Award-winning director Roberto Angotti presents double feature at Naples Italian American Foundation on February 13, 2023

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(Basil Russo, Roberto Angotti, John Viola and Maria Bartiromo at the 2017 NIAF Gala) 

Roberto Angotti is a cultural historian, writer, film director, curator, and radio DJ who blends his love of baseball, Italian American arts and culture, and music into multi-media creations. His film, Italian American Baseball Family, tells the story of how Italian Americans assimilated into popular culture through America’s favorite pastime, baseball, and how Italian Americans have circled back to Italy to grow the game by playing for Team Italy in the Olympics and the World Baseball Classic. His film features interviews with renowned baseball historian Lawrence Baldassaro, and MLB notables Tommy Lasorda, Frank Viola, Nick Punto, Francisco Cervelli, Brandon Nimmo, Chris Colabello and Gavin Cecchini.

At the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) 42nd Anniversary Gala in November 2017, the movie was screened and won the Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum Award. Most recently, the film received international accolades when it screened and was selected as a Finalist at the World FICTS (Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs) Sport Movies & TV Challenge 2018 in Milan, Italy. Other film screenings have taken place in Rome, Chicago, Cleveland, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego, Fullerton and St. Louis at Fox Sports Midwest Live!

Angotti is an official Team Italy media representative for Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS), and he reports first-hand from international competitions such as the World Baseball Classic and other tournaments. He was first inspired to write about baseball in Italy and the USA, Italian American arts and culture, and music through his blog: http://www.MLBforLife.com.

In 2013, he curated the Artists’ Tribute to Italian Americans in Baseball in San Diego, California. This exhibit paid homage to Italian American baseball players and Team Italy players and coaches from the World Baseball Classic through artwork from renowned artists of Italian descent. Artists’ Tribute to Italian Americans in Baseball opened with art and baseball memorabilia honoring such MLB luminaries as Mike Piazza, Jason Grilli, Frank Catalanotto, Chris Denorfia, Drew Butera, Anthony Rizzo, Chris Colabello, and Alex Liddi. 

A graduate of the prestigious Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California with a bachelor’s degree in Film Studies, Angotti began his filmmaking career with documentaries on The English Beat and UB40. As a radio deejay on KNAC in Long Beach and KROQ in Los Angeles, he launched the career of Grammy nominee Pato Banton in America. Angotti enlisted the services of Pato Banton on his latest film, Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza, to produce a musical odyssey documentary on the iconic career of the National Baseball Hall of Famer and the new leader of the Italian national baseball program.

Angotti served as international sister city ambassador between Fullerton, California and Tollo (Abruzzo), Italy in honor of long-time Orange County, California resident Tommy Lasorda and the birth place of his father. Sabatino Lasorda, in Italy. Italian American Baseball Family was featured at the Tommy Lasorda Day celebration in Fullerton on September 22, 2021. In addition, the film (with Italian subtitles) was screened at the reciprocal Tollo sister city
celebration in 2022.

Be sure to join the festivities on Monday, February 13, 2023 at the Naples Italian American Foundation, 7035 Airport Pulling Road in Naples, Florida. Doors open at 5 pm. Dinner is included with admission. For tickets and further information, click HERE or call (239) 597-5210.

Italian American baseball films, art and reggae legend at Fullerton Museum on December 10, 2022

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Award-winning director Roberto Angotti and nationally-renowned artist Christopher Paluso will appear at the Fullerton Museum Center on Saturday afternoon, December 10, 2022 from 1 to 4 pm. The National Italian American Foundation Russo Brothers Film Forum award-winning Italian American Baseball Family will screen at 1:30 pm and be followed by an informative Q and A with director Roberto Angotti and artist/illustrator Christopher Paluso.

Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza will make its Southern California premiere at 3 pm. Grammy-nominated artist and reggae legend Pato Banton, who produced to music soundtrack to the documentary celebrating the life and career of National Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, will be in attendance along with some very special guests. Directed by former KROQ radio DJ Roberto Angotti, Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza comes out just in time for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

A limited-edition commemorative poster designed by artist Christopher Paluso will be available for purchase on the day of the event. Audience members are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the current Fullerton Museum exhibitions on display: Picturing America’s Pastime: A Snapshot of the Photograph Collection at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and Lasorda Legacy: A Tribute To Baseball and Dodgers Legend Tommy Lasorda. The Fullerton Museum Center is located at 301 N. Pomona Avenue in Fullerton and is open from 12 noon to 4 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2022. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Lasorda Legacy Baseball Author Roundtable at Fullerton Museum Center on September 22, 2022

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Roberto Angotti, Tollo, Italy-Fullerton, California Sister City International Ambassador, Laura Lasorda, daughter of Tommy and Jo Lasorda, and Felipe Ruiz, longtime personal assistant to Tommy Lasorda, moderate Lasorda Legacy Baseball Author Roundtable featuring an all-star cast on Tommy Lasorda Day, Thursday night, September 22, 2022 at 7:30 pm inside the Fullerton Museum Center Auditorium, 301 N. Pomona Avenue in Fullerton, California. Panelists include Zack Minasian, Steve Sax,  Jason Turbow and Chris Epting. Tickets are available by clicking HERE.

Lasorda University: A Recollection of My Summer of ’68 with Tommy Lasorda and the Ogden Dodgers by Zack Minasian is a fun look at a young Tommy Lasorda and his band of Dodger rookies in 1968 in Ogden Utah. The stories and laughs are nonstop as you learn the fate of the Ogden team that summer that included several future big league players. The book features Interviews with many of the former players who describe their Ogden experience and what is was like playing for Tommy Lasorda.

Steve Sax, known for his accomplished 14-year-career as a major league baseball player during which time he became Rookie of the Year, a two-time World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers as well as a five-time MLB All-Star, is host of the popular Sax in the Morning podcast. Playing under inspirational Italian American managers Tommy Lasorda and Tony La Russa, Steve Sax gained invaluable life lessons through sports. After his playing career, he found success not only as a coach and broadcaster but also as a financial consultant, author, motivational speaker and executive/life coach.

Shift: Change Your Mindset and You Change Your World author and former Los Angeles Dodger Steve Sax

In addition to the full-length shows, listeners enjoy “Sax in the Morning” vignettes three days per week that focus on the motivation necessary to get one’s game plan for the day set with the right tone to accomplish the goals necessary for success. By starting the day with the right mindset and making the shift to persevere through challenges, “Sax in the Morning” helps listeners follow their emotional heart in order to reach their dreams and aspirations.

During the “Sax in the Morning” podcast, host Steve Sax speaks with leaders in the world of sports, business and finance to find out what makes people successful, passionate and joyful in their lives

Jason Turbow is the author of They Bled Blue, a chronicle about the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers, Dynastic, Bombastic, Fantastic, the unbelievable saga on Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley and The Baseball Codes, a book about the unwritten rules of baseball. In addition, he is the founder of the Pandemic Baseball Book Club.

Jason Turbow wrote They Bleed Blue, the story of the 1981 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers

Chris Epting is the author of over 40 travel/history books, including James Dean Died Here, Roadside Baseball, Hello It’s Me, and Dispatches From a Pop Culture Junkie. He is also an award-winning travel writer and has contributed articles for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Westways and Travel + Leisure magazine. In addition, Chris Epting is a memoirist and has co-written Def Leppard’s Phil Collen’s memoir, Adrenalized, the John Oates Memoir Change of Seasons, and Long Train Runnin’ with the Doobie Brothers.

 

Chris Epting has written over 40 books including Orange County Baseball, Images of America: Los Angeles’s Historic Ballparks, Roadside Baseball, and Images of Baseball: The Early Polo Grounds.

“Picturing America’s Pastime: Historic Photography from the Baseball Hall of Fame Archives” celebrates baseball through a unique selection of photographs from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s unmatched archive of baseball photos. Drawing on the Hall of Fame’s archive of more than 300,000 unique images, the Museum’s curatorial team highlights baseball history in this curated collection of rarely seen photos. The photographs reveal the rich relationship between the camera and the game. The Fullerton Museum Center is the first stop on this exciting traveling show For more information, visit the Fullerton Museum Center website or call (714) 738-6545.

“Picturing America’s Pastime: Historic Photography from the Baseball Hall of Fame Archives” is currently on display alongside the “Lasorda Legacy” exhibit at the Fullerton Museum Center

Come out early on Thursday afternoon, September 22, 2022 to check out the “Picturing America’s Pastime: Historic Photography from the Baseball Hall of Fame Archives” and the “Lasorda Legacy” exhibits at the Fullerton Museum Center. Then head outside from 4-9 pm for the Tommy Lasorda Street Fair with the world-famous beer gardens, food trucks, local vendors and live entertainment. After a Dodger dog and a cold beverage, make sure not to miss the Lasorda Legacy Baseball Author Roundtable beginning at 7:30 pm!

Roberto Angotti and Bobby Valentine enjoying the Lasorda Legacy Grand Opening at the Fullerton Museum Center on September 10, 2022

Dallas celebrates Italian American Baseball Family with SMU film showing on February 21, 2022

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Italian American Baseball Foundation co-founder and former Team Italy/Texas Ranger player
Frank Catalanotto is currently the head coach at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) Department of World Languages and Literatures in collaboration with the SMU International Film Festival and the SMU Italian Club are proud to present the Russo Brothers National Italian American Foundation Film Forum Award-winning documentary, Italian American Baseball Family, on Monday, February 21, 2022 at 7:00 pm at McCord Auditorium (3rd floor of Dallas Hall). Filmmaker and director Roberto Angotti will on hand to introduce the film prior to the screening. Admission is free to SMU students and members of the general public. Due to Covid-19 and social distancing requirements, seating may be limited. Masks are strongly encouraged and requested for all attendees.

Italian American Baseball Family tells the story of the Italian Americans’ role in baseball and in the culture of American sports. The movie documents an ethnic group’s rise from adversity and celebrates its triumphs in breaking into a game that was originally dominated by English, Irish and German immigrants. While some immigrants chose to change their names to mask their Italian identity, most felt the need to preserve and hold on to familiar things such as language, customs, and beliefs as a way of tolerating the discriminatory practices and injustices they encountered in America.

Children of immigrants felt stuck in the middle between protective parents who did not want the foreign ways of America to affect the close-knit Italian family, and their own desire to blend into the culture in which they were born. These children lived dual identities, conflicted by the rich Italian traditions of their parents inside their homes and the outside world which existed in the streets and in the schools, where they were taught to become American.

The solution to the stigma of being labeled as outsiders was to discover a way to become less different by assimilating into American culture. As a staple of mainstream American life, baseball presented Italians a viable point of entry as players and fans. By instilling the values of fair play, opportunity and democracy, baseball taught the children of immigrants how to become American.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame has recognized many Italian Americans including Tony Lazzeri, Joe DiMaggio, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Ernie Lombardi, Phil Rizzuto, Tommy Lasorda, Ron Santo, Joe Torre, Tony La Russa, John Smoltz, Craig Biggio, and Mike Piazza. In fact, many Italian Americans like Hall of Famer and current Team Italy manager Mike Piazza and Italian American Baseball Foundation co-founder Frank Catalanotto have embraced their ancestral heritage in Italy by playing and coaching for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Italian American Baseball Family also explores how Italian Americans have circled back to Italy to help grow the game abroad. Italian American Baseball Family features interviews with Team Italy players Nick Punto, Francisco Cervelli, Brandon Nimmo, Chris Colabello, and Gavin Cecchini. For more information on the free film screening on February 21, 2022 and the SMU International Film Festival, click HERE. To become a member of the Italian American Baseball Foundation, click HERE.

Team Italy/New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo speaks with Italian American Baseball Family producer/director Roberto Angotti at the 2017 World Baseball Classic in Guadalajara.

A.J. Morris joins Houston panel discussion following Italian American Baseball Family

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Team Italy starting pitcher A.J. Morris threw five no-hit innings in the 2017 World Baseball Classic against Venezuela featuring a loaded lineup of MLB All-Stars including Jose Altuve, Miguel Cabrera, Alcides Escobar, Freddy Galvis, Ender Inciarte, Carlos Gonzalez, Victor Martinez and Salvador Perez.

The Italian Cultural and Community Center in association with the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance and Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, are pleased to present the Russo Brothers National Italian American Foundation Film Forum Award-winning Italian American Baseball Family documentary on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 7 pm. Former Team Italy hurler and Cincinnati Reds pitcher A.J. Morris with join producer/director Roberto Angotti along with David Fanucchi (Author of Miracle on Grass: How Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda led Team USA to a shocking upset over Cuba, capturing the only Olympic gold medal in USA baseball history), SportsRadio 610 host Shaun Bijani and other prominent panelists for a discussion immediately following the movie screening.

Roberto Angotti is a cultural historian, writer, film director, curator, and radio DJ who blends his love of baseball, Italian American arts and culture, and music into multi-media creations. He is an official Team Italy media representative for Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) and reports firsthand from international competitions such as the World Baseball Classic and other tournaments. The proud Italian American was first inspired to write about baseball in Italy and the USA, arts and culture, and music through his blog: www.mlbforlife.com.

In 2013, Angotti curated the Artists’ Tribute to Italian Americans in Baseball in San Diego, California. This exhibit paid homage to Italian American baseball players and Team Italy players and coaches from the World Baseball Classic through artwork from renowned artists of Italian descent. The Artists’ Tribute to Italian Americans in Baseball exhibition opened with art and baseball memorabilia honoring such big-league players as Mike Piazza, Jason Grilli, Frank Catalanotto, Chris Denorfia, Nick Punto, Drew Butera, Anthony Rizzo, Chris Colabello, and Alex Liddi.

A graduate of the prestigious Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California with a bachelor’s degree in Film Studies, Angotti began his filmmaking career with documentaries on The English Beat and UB40. As a radio deejay on KNAC in Long Beach and KROQ in Los Angeles, he launched the career of Grammy nominee Pato Banton in America. Angotti enlisted the services of Pato Banton on his latest film, Introducing Team Italy Manager Mike Piazza, to produce a musical odyssey documentary on the iconic career of the National Baseball Hall of Famer and the new leader of the Italian national baseball program. The film makes its world premiere followed by a live concert performance by Pato Banton at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club on Sunday, April 24, 2022 in celebration of Festa della Liberazione. Limited tickets are available by clicking HERE.

Angotti recently served as international sister city ambassador between Fullerton, California and Tollo (Abruzzo), Italy in honor of long-time Orange County, California resident Tommy Lasorda and the birth place of his parents in Italy. Italian American Baseball Family was featured at the Tommy Lasorda Day celebration in Fullerton on September 22, 2021. In addition, the film (with Italian subtitles) will screened at the reciprocal Tollo sister city celebration in 2022.

Tickets for the upcoming Houston event featuring Italian American Baseball Family and the star-studded panel discussion at the Italian Cultural and Community Center on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 are available by clicking HERE.

More information on Italian Americans Roberto Angotti and Christopher Paluso

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Fullerton to become Sister City with Tollo, Italy in honor of Tommy Lasorda on September 22, 2021

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