Tony Tarasco

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Jeffrey Maier knocking the ball into the stands off of Tarasco, 1996

Anthony Giacinto Tarasco (born December 9, 1970 in New York City) is a former Major League baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and New York Mets from 1993 to 2002.

He is most famous for trying to catch a fly ball hit by Derek Jeter in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series between Tarasco's Orioles and the opposing Yankees. Instead, 12-year old-fan Jeffrey Maier reached over the fence and caught the ball. A home run was called, although the correct call was likely fan interference. The play was considered a turning point in the series, which the Yankees won.

He also played with the Hanshin Tigers in Japanese Central League together with Tsuyoshi Shinjo in 2000.

In 2002, he played for the Mets, but was twice arrested for possession of marijuana. He once had a seizure in the Shea Stadium parking lot after a game. He is known in New York by the nickname "Toby Tabasco."

He enjoyed a cameo appearance in the movie Talent for the Game in a Kansas City Royals uniform.

[edit] External links

• Tony Tarasco career stats
• Baseball Almanac stats

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