Frank Catalanotto
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Frank during batting practice at the Rangers home opener on Apr 8, 2008. |
|
|---|---|
| Texas Rangers — No. 27 | |
| Designated Hitter | |
| Born: April 27, 1974 | |
| Bats: Left | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| September 3, 1997 for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through May 12, 2008) |
|
| Avg | .293 |
| OBP | .360 |
| HR | 83 |
| Teams | |
|
|
Frank John Catalanotto (pronounced Ca-ta-lan-na-toe) was born April 27, 1974 in Smithtown, New York. Catalanotto is a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter, who plays for the Texas Rangers. Nicknamed Little Cat, the Long Island native bats left-handed and throws right-handed.
Contents |
[edit] Detroit Tigers
Catalanotto began his professional baseball career in 1992 when the Detroit Tigers -- who first noticed him while scouting higher-profile players at a Smithtown East baseball game in 1991 -- drafted him in the tenth round of the 1992 Amateur Draft. Primarily a second baseman in the minors, he made his major league debut at second base on September 3, 1997. While in Detroit, Catalanotto battled injuries and a lack of playing time, and never recorded a season of 300 at-bats for the Tigers. As a reserve, Catalanotto logged significant time not only at second base, but at first base and third base as well. Over his three-year span in Detroit, he was the most often used pinch hitter for the Tigers, leading the American League in pinch-hit at-bats in the 1998 season.
[edit] Texas Rangers
On November 2, 1999, Catalanotto was part of an eight player trade between the Tigers and the Texas Rangers. In the deal he was dealt to Texas along with pitchers Francisco Cordero and Justin Thompson, catcher Bill Hasselman and a minor leaguer, for slugging outfield star Juan González, catcher Gregg Zaun and pitcher Danny Patterson.
Catalanotto made a splash to start to his Rangers career, collecting ten hits and three walks in thirteen consecutive plate appearances from April 21 to May 18, 2000. This streak stands as the Rangers franchise record for consecutive appearances reaching base. He also tied the club's record for hits in a single game (5) on May 17.
After another season plagued by injuries in 2000, Catalanotto finally burst onto the scene in 2001 when he finished fifth in the AL in batting average (.330), and recorded a .431 batting average in August. He also logged a number of innings in the outfield, a position he had fielded for only one inning before 2001. 2002 was another injury riddled season for Catalanotto, and the Rangers declined to offer him a contract in the 2003 offseason.
On November 19, 2006, the Texas Rangers announced that they had reacquired Catalanotto, signing him to a three-year contract worth $13 million.[1]He currently plays firstbase and outfield for the Texas Rangers.
[edit] Toronto Blue Jays
Catalanotto was named AL player of the week after hitting .500 in the last week of the 2005 season helping him finish with an average of .301.[2] He also won the AL player of the week on July 25, 2005.[3]
On June 5, 2005 at Oakland, he collected the 700th hit of his Major League career and on September 22 he scored the 400th run of his career against Seattle.
On May 1, 2004 at Chicago White Sox, he set the Blue Jays record for hits in a game, going 6 for 6 in the 2nd game of a double-header.
[edit] Trivia
 |
Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- His at-bat music is "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night.
- Honorary chairman for the National Vascular Birthmark Foundation and participates in Little league programs
- Despite being born in the United States, Catalanotto's Italian heritage made him eligible to play for the Italian national team at the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
- His favourite restaurant is Giseppi's and Casa Bonita both located in Madrid, Spain
[edit] References
- ^ Catalanotto comes back to Rangers. mlb.com (November 19, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
- ^ Catalanotto named AL Player of Week. Toronto.BlueJays.mlb.com (October 10, 2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-23.
- ^ Catalanotto named AL Player of Week. Toronto.BlueJays.mlb.com (July 25, 2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-23.
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
- Frank Catalanotto: Behind the Dugout
