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Thread: All Time All Italian Yankee Team

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    All Time All Italian Yankee Team

    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

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    Put Rags in the bullpen?

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    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.

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    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

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

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    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

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    Rich Montellone

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    this is getting tuff

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

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    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.
    "America national sport is called baseballs. It very similar to our sport, shurik, where we take dogs, shoot them in a field and then have a party."
    - Borat Sagdiyev

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    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

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    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.
    "America national sport is called baseballs. It very similar to our sport, shurik, where we take dogs, shoot them in a field and then have a party."
    - Borat Sagdiyev

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

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    Rocky Colavito for the OF

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

    Is Count Montefusco Italian?

    Andy
    Yogi is a National Treasure. Let's put him in a National Hall of Fame. The man has no peers.

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    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!

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    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

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    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

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    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
    Yogi is a National Treasure. Let's put him in a National Hall of Fame. The man has no peers.

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    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.

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    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??

  22. #22
    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...

  23. #23
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    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?
    "America national sport is called baseballs. It very similar to our sport, shurik, where we take dogs, shoot them in a field and then have a party."
    - Borat Sagdiyev

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    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.

  25. #25
    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.

  26. #26
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    Piniella is definitely a Spanish surname and Lou was born to Spanish immigrants.
    "America national sport is called baseballs. It very similar to our sport, shurik, where we take dogs, shoot them in a field and then have a party."
    - Borat Sagdiyev

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

  28. #28
    Nick Johnson is Italian, though the name doesn't give you a clue. You might want to fit him in as a reserve somewhere.

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    Billy Martin's a Paesan?
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    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.
    Dr King (1929-68) A dream is forgotten unless others carry on.

    Get up ... get up ...; Black Moses (he ain't no chef); Isn't she Lovely? (Aisha); Fear the 'Fro; A slow roller to 1st ...

  31. #31
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    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.

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    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.

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    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....
    Goodbye Pettitte..I will miss you forever...
    Goodluck in Houston....

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    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...
    "Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president" ~ Theodore Roosevelt
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  35. #35
    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.

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    Ping Bodie

    Hey Gehrig! Thanks for the info. Ya gotta like that name.
    "Enjoy every sandwich." Warren Zevon

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    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.

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    Mike Mussina

    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!
    "Enjoy every sandwich." Warren Zevon

  39. #39
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    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!
    SanFrANSKY
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  40. #40
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    Here is a list of an all-time Italian-american Yankee roster

    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!

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    sixty one

    Thanks for the info!!
    My final team will be posted before opening day at THE STADIUM
    "Enjoy every sandwich." Warren Zevon

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    Re: All Time All Italian Yankee Team

    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.

  43. #43
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    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.
    "Enjoy every sandwich." Warren Zevon

  44. #44
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    My Final(?) All Italian All YANKEES team!

    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.
    "Enjoy every sandwich." Warren Zevon

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