All Time All Italian Yankee Team

[#7forever]

I'm looking for suggestions
for an all time all italian YANKEES team. This is the team so far
Catcher: Yogi Berra
1st base: Jason Giambi
2nd base: Tony Lazzeri
3rd base: Mike Pagliarulo Shortstop: Phil Rizzuto
Outfield: Joe Dimaggio
Joe Pepitone
Lee Mazzilli
Pitchers: Dave Righetti
Vic Raschi
DH: Steve Balboni
Mgr: Joe Torre
Bench: Billy Martin, Frank Crosetti, Joe Girardi,
Rick Cerone
As you can see I NEED bullpen and bench help. Please post any ideas
THANKS

[LL78]

Put Rags in the bullpen?

[Irabu's Son]

Coolest thing I've ever read.. coming from an Italian-American. Bullpen help: Rich Monteleone. Could we come up with someone better than Mazzilli in the outfield? He only played 37 games for the Yanks.

[DiMaggio5CF]

What would the lineup be?

1. Rizzuto, SS
2. Lazzeri, 2B
3. DiMaggio, CF
4. Giambi, 1B
5. Berra, C
6. Pepitone, RF
7. Mazelli, LF
8. Balboni, DH
9. Pagliarulo, 3B

[LL78]

Only one that comes to mind for the bullpen is Paul Mirabella,but he didn't play long for the Yankees

[LL78]

Originally posted by Irabu's Son
Coolest thing I've ever read.. coming from an Italian-American. Bullpen help: Rich Monteleone. Could we come up with someone better than Mazzilli in the outfield? He only played 37 games for the Yanks.

True, he really was a met as a player

[TinoBambino]

Rich Montellone

[LL78]

this is getting tuff

[don4yanks]

You know Nick Johnson is half Italian, I would suggest him for DH rather than Balboni.

[Looie #19]

What about Rugger Ardizoia? I say he would make a good bullpen coach. Any groundskeepers cheering on his watch and they're sleepin' with the fishes.

[LL78]

Originally posted by Looie #19
What about Rugger Ardizoia? I say he would make a good bullpen coach. Any groundskeepers cheering on his watch and they're sleepin' with the fishes.

He had 2 IP as a Yankee.
You wanna put him in
ok

[Looie #19]

Originally posted by LL78


He had 2 IP as a Yankee.
You wanna put him in
ok

Originally posted by Looie #19
What about Rugger Ardizoia? I say he would make a good bullpen coach.

[terry14420]

I want Randy Velarde and Frank Tepedino off the bench. And in from the bullpen Joey Fungool.

[Allan]

Rocky Colavito for the OF

[Nome]

Good post. I need time to think of Italian Yankee players. You have a great start.

Is Count Montefusco Italian?

Andy

[#7forever]

While looking through the baseball encyclopedia, I found some contenders.
Marius Russo 45-34 3.13 era
2-0 in 2 WS CG starts w/0.50 era
Johnny Broaca 40-27 4.08 era
I'm thinking of making Crosetti
the 3rd bsae coach and Mazzilli the 1st base coach if I can find decent players. Your help is needed! Thanks to all!

[dlaurito]

C Yogi Berra
1b Jason Giambi
2b Tony Lazzeri
3B Mike Pagliarulo
SS Phil Rizzuto
LF Lou Piniella (both Italians and Latinos claim him as their own, might be half and half)
CF Joe DiMaggio
RF Dan Pasqua
DH Steve Balboni

Bench

Joe Pepitone - 1B, OF
Frank Crosetti - SS
Randy Velarde - SS, 2B, 3B
Billy Martin - 2B
Rick Cerone - C
Joe Girardi - C

Starting Pitchers

Dave Righetti
Mike Mussina
Vic Raschi
Marius Russo
Johnny Broaca

Relief Pitchers

John Montefusco
Rich Monteleone
Larry Gura
Sam Militello
Russ Vanatta

Manager - Joe Torre
Assistant Coach - Lee Mazzilli

[LL78]

Originally posted by dlaurito
C Yogi Berra
1b Jason Giambi
2b Tony Lazzeri
3B Mike Pagliarulo
SS Phil Rizzuto
LF Lou Piniella (both Italians and Latinos claim him as their own, might be half and half)
CF Joe DiMaggio
RF Dan Pasqua
DH Steve Balboni

Bench

Joe Pepitone - 1B, OF
Frank Crosetti - SS
Randy Velarde - SS, 2B, 3B
Billy Martin - 2B
Rick Cerone - C
Joe Girardi - C

Starting Pitchers

Dave Righetti
Mike Mussina
Vic Raschi
Marius Russo
Johnny Broaca

Relief Pitchers

John Montefusco
Rich Monteleone
Larry Gura
Sam Militello
Russ Vanatta

Manager - Joe Torre
Assistant Coach - Lee Mazzilli

Good one, but you should switch Gura and Rags.Rags did more relief as a Yankee and vice versa

[Nome]

Scooter, during his Yankee broadcasting days once said that anyone whose name ends in a vowel MUST be italian. Since the only player mentioned so far without whose name ends in a vowel is Billy Martin. Could his real name have been Billy Martini?

Andy

[#7forever]

Thanks everyone there are some great suggestions in your posts.
BUT, I have to make some corrections, Mike Mussina is NOT
italian. I know because he told me himself. Pinella is latino,
and Vanatta is actually Van Atta
according to the baseball encyclopedia. Again thanks for your hard work and your memories.

[Sixty one]

Originally posted by Nome
Scooter, during his Yankee broadcasting days once said that anyone whose name ends in a vowel MUST be italian. Since the only player mentioned so far without whose name ends in a vowel is Billy Martin. Could his real name have been Billy Martini?

Andy

I think his real name was Alfred Manuel and he changed it to Billy Martin. I think his mother was Italian but the father may have been Latin??

[MrG]

Velarde isn't Italian either. He's Tex-Mex.
Not sure if John Candelaria is Italian, but if he is, he could give you some innings out of the pen as a lefty...

[Looie #19]

Originally posted by MrG
Not sure if John Candelaria is Italian, but if he is, he could give you some innings out of the pen as a lefty...

Isn't he Puerto Rican?

[dlaurito]

Originally posted by #7forever
Thanks everyone there are some great suggestions in your posts.
BUT, I have to make some corrections, Mike Mussina is NOT
italian. I know because he told me himself. Pinella is latino,
and Vanatta is actually Van Atta
according to the baseball encyclopedia. Again thanks for your hard work and your memories.

That's cool that you were able to ask Mussina himself. I wasn't sure and found this link that said he was:

http://www.sicilianculture.com/history/1208.htm

What is his ethnicity?

Regarding Piniella, some people say he is part Italian. Here is one link that claims he is Italian:

http://www.sicilianculture.com/history/0828.htm

That's the same site that said that Mussina was though so they probably aren't reliable. Just wanted you to know that I was doing research before posting.

Growing up, I always thought Piniella was Italian but later read that he knew Spanish which suggests he's from a Latino background. That's why I suggested that he might be half-Italian.

[MrG]

In the 80's, retired ump Vic Voltaggio was on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and was telling funny stories from his days calling games. One time when Piniella came to bat, Voltaggio said something to him in Italian, but Lou didn't respond. The next time up, Voltaggio said something to the effect of "What's the matter? You don't speak your mother tongue?" and Piniella told him that he did...he spoke Spanish since he's Puerto Rican.

[Looie #19]

Piniella is definitely a Spanish surname and Lou was born to Spanish immigrants.

[Irabu's Son]

Mike Gallego, reserve infielder. Had a mullet and my mom loved him in the early 90's.

[Dooley Womack]

Nick Johnson is Italian, though the name doesn't give you a clue. You might want to fit him in as a reserve somewhere.

[Jersey Yankee]

Billy Martin's a Paesan?

[Jersey Yankee]

Originally posted by Looie #19
Piniella is definitely a Spanish surname and Lou was born to Spanish immigrants.

In SI (when he'd moved to TB), he'd said he was Spanish.

[Sixty one]

Originally posted by Jersey Yankee
Billy Martin's a Paesan?

I believe that his mother was Italian and she raised him along with her mother. I think the father left when Billy was a youngster.

[#7forever]

dlaurito, sorry for not answering you sooner.
When I asked Mike about being on the all-italian team, he said he didn't qualify. He wasn't sure exactly where his family hailed from, mid to eastern europe. However he did know that Mussina is NOT the original
family name. Mussina is an Americanized shortening of the name.
I hope this helps answer your question.

[TAG]

Originally posted by #7forever
Thanks everyone there are some great suggestions in your posts.
BUT, I have to make some corrections, Mike Mussina is NOT
italian. I know because he told me himself. Pinella is latino,
and Vanatta is actually Van Atta
according to the baseball encyclopedia. Again thanks for your hard work and your memories.

I didn't think Mike Mussina was Italian....

[Gehrig]

Francis Stephano Pezzolo...Outfield

Lived in Bodie California for a while and liked the sound of the ball hitting his bat. "Ping"

Name under which he played - Ping Bodie

Yankees outfielder 1918-1921

Roomed with Babe Ruths suitcase...

[Dooley Womack]

Originally posted by TAG

I didn't think Mike Mussina was Italian....

Mussina IS Italian. I've read many profiles on him, even in the New York dailies and they mention his family background. Maybe he was pulling #7's leg as he's prone to do in interviews and with the public. He's very private and doesn't care to share much insight about himself and his family. And yes, Piniella is of Cuban heritage.

[#7forever]

Hey Gehrig! Thanks for the info. Ya gotta like that name.

[IntimateStranger]

I'm not sure what Mike is, but I remember reading somewhere that when he signed, Yogi said to him, "We need more Italians on this team!"

If his family has been in America for a long time, it's possible he has Eastern European/Italian blood.

[#7forever]

I spoke to Mike at his fan club dinner in Williamsport,PA during January. I told him iwas trying to put together an all-time all-italian YANKEES team and even before I got the words out of my mouth he said "I don't qualify".
Then,without being asked, he went into detail about his heritage.
I have been to the fan club dinner the last two years, Mike has an open Q&A during which he has never backed away from replying to any question. He has been humorous, straightforward,
and quite charming. If he says he's not italian, who am I to doubt him. He stays off my list.
Thank-you Mike!

[SanFrANSKY]

Maybe he has Italian ancestry but just ain't feelin' it?

BTW, Giambi may have a vowel at the end of his name but culturally speaking he's about as Italian as a cheeseburger!

[Sixty one]

This list came from an old newspaper, 1985, called the "Red, white, & Green Sports"

You can pick some great old Yankees from this list and then add the ones who have played for them since 1985.

Rugger Ardizola
Steve Balboni
Zeke Bella
Yogi Berra
Dale Berra
Ping Bodi
Rich Bordi
Ralph Branca
John Broaca
Rick Cerone
Rocky Colavito
Frank Crosetti
Bob Del Greco
Joe DeMastri
Joe DiMaggio
Mike Ferraro
Tim Foli
Mike Gazella
Tony Lazzari
John Lucadello
Sal Maglie
Billy Martin
Lee Mazzilli
Paul Miarbella
John Montefusco
Russ Moschitto
John Pacella
Mike Pagliarulo
Dan Pasqua
Joe Pepitone
Jim Pisoni
Vic Raschi
Bill Renna
Tony Rensa
Dave Righetti
Phil Rizzuto
Marius Russo
Ken Silvestri
Frank Tepedino
Frank Verdi

I would like to add Rocco Baldelli to that list sometime in the near future!

[#7forever]

Thanks for the info!!
My final team will be posted before opening day at THE STADIUM

[Tommy John]

Originally posted by #7forever
I'm looking for suggestions
for an all time all italian YANKEES team. This is the team so far
Catcher: Yogi Berra
1st base: Jason Giambi
2nd base: Tony Lazzeri
3rd base: Mike Pagliarulo Shortstop: Phil Rizzuto
Outfield: Joe Dimaggio
Joe Pepitone
Lee Mazzilli
Pitchers: Dave Righetti
Vic Raschi
DH: Steve Balboni
Mgr: Joe Torre
Bench: Billy Martin, Frank Crosetti, Joe Girardi,
Rick Cerone
As you can see I NEED bullpen and bench help. Please post any ideas
THANKS

Cool. As someone who is part Italian, this thread caught my eye.
Pretty good lineup. I have compiled an All-Time Italian-American
team.

By the way, I know he didn't play for the Yanks long, but how
about Robin Ventura off the bench? And in reference to another
poster, I have read that John Candelaria is not Italian. He's
Portuguese.

[#7forever]

In researching this subject, I have found a book that was published last year entitled "Reaching For The Stars: A celebration of Italian-Americans in major league baseball" edited by Larry Freundlich.
First of all I don't think anyone believed that this thread was an original idea. It was something my brother and I were talking about and we thought the knowledgeable fans of NYYFANS.COM could help us out.
I don't know if Mr.Freundlich checks out this web site, if so, no harm was intended. I have just recently seen the book and it seems to be quite informative and full of statistics as well stories. YOGI BERRA
gives his list of the all-time all Italian major league team. (Even Yogi believes Mussina is Italian.) But there is still no definitive All time, All Italian YANKEES team. As with any list of all time anything it is and
always will be a work in progress. BUT I will post my team before the home opener on April 8.

[#7forever]

Well there can never be any definitive all anything team as these things keep evolving as teams and players change. My brother and I want to thank everyone who took the time to help us out. So here we go,


Catcher: Yogi Berra
1stBase: Jason Giambi
2ndBase: Tony Lazzeri
3rdBase: Mike Pagliarulo
Short: Phil Rizzuto
OF: Joe Dimaggio
Joe Pepitone
Dan Pasqua
Starters: Vic Rashi
Marius Russo
Johnny Broaca
Relief: Dave Righetti (closer)
Rich Monteleone
Rugger Ardizoia
John Montefusco
Bench: Steve Balboni
Joe Girardi
Rick Cerone
Frank Crosetti
Billy Martin
Nick Johnson
Ping Bodie

I know Rugger Ardizoia only pitched a couple of innings, but he was BORN in Italy. And I like
the story behind Francesco Stephano Pezzolo's nickname, Ping Bodie. This was alot of fun for me, and I hope it was for at least a couple of others. I can't wait to post my next all-time list, after the home opener.