Mike Piazza’s impact on Italian Baseball

Future Hall of Famer Mike Piazza is being considered by many to be the Italian American of the decade (by Roberto Angotti at www.mlbforlife.com).

2006 marked the first time that this proud Italian American can safely say that he was able to have an impact on the game of baseball all across the Italian peninsula when for the first time he wore the colors of the Italian National team in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. Since that very moment Italian baseball has made dramatic improvements not only in international play, but also in the quality local talent that’s being produced. Piazza’s consistent work with the Italian Baseball Federation has helped not only draw more attention to a sport in a country that is dominated by soccer, but his constant presence and tutelage throughout the years has had an impact on the progression of young Italian ballplayers, such as Marten Gasparini (Shortstop - Signed by the KC Royals in 2013 for $1.3 million), Alberto Mineo (Catcher - Signed with the Chicago Cub in 2012 for 500,000), Alessandro Maestri (The first Italian-born-and-developed pitcher signed by MLB in 2006), and Alex Liddi (The first Italian-born-and-developed player to make his MLB debut in 2011 have benefitted greatly from Piazza’s guidance and mentorship.). Working in tandem with the Italian MLB Academy Director and Team Italia pitching coach Bill Holmberg, its safe to say that Piazza has helped Italy become the superpower of European baseball. Anyone that has had direct contact with this extraordinary person can tell you that his knowledge, character, and openness to help is something very special. “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,” explained Maestri. As for Liddi, well his also holds high regards for the future Hall of Famer, “when you have coaches like Mike Piazza— a guy who was in the big leagues for a long time—it makes it fun just to be around them. You’re able to ask them questions and learn from them.”

Piazza -”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 grandfather Rosario came from Sciacca, Sicily, to the United States and my father grew me up following the Italian tradition pretty much. I think it’s in our DNA to strive to work hard and persevere. Most our ancestors came over to the United States with just the clothes on their back. I think that was the case with my grandfather, who had nothing in his pocket to start a life here in the U.S. When we have the strength and pride of the Italian family with the support we can give one another, it builds character and allows us to achieve our true potential. I don’t think there are a lot of Italian American families that don’t have strong support behind them. I do not pretend to say what is not true, I grew up as an American boy. Now, getting older, I understand the value of my heritage and I want to give something back to Italy.”