Rocco Baldelli
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Tampa Bay Rays — No. 5 | |
| Center Fielder | |
| Born: September 25, 1981 | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| March 31, 2003 for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through October 2, 2007) |
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| Batting Average | .282 |
| Hits | 467 |
| Runs scored | 243 |
| RBI | 221 |
| Teams | |
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Rocco Daniel Baldelli (born September 25, 1981 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island)[1] is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays. Baldelli is a New England area fan favorite and was known for his outstanding speed and throwing ability. However, medical issues have put the future of his baseball career in doubt.
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[edit] Early life and career
Rocco Baldelli graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island. He was a three sport star, excelling at baseball, basketball, and volleyball and was selected in the first round of the 2000 amateur draft. Baldelli made his Major League debut on March 31, 2003.
In 2003, he and Hideki Matsui were among the contenders for AL Rookie of the Year. Baldelli was considered the favorite for the first few months of the season, but his consistency did not last while Matsui continued to be a consistent run producer. Matsui - a Japanese baseball star who spent many years in Japan's professional league - and Baldelli both fell short of winning the award, losing out to Angel Berroa of the Kansas City Royals. Several members of the BBWAA contested Matsui's rookie eligibility, and two left him off their ballots, ensuring the win for Berroa. Baldelli finished the 2003 season with an impressive line, batting .289 with 11 home runs, 78 runs batted in, 89 runs scored and 27 stolen bases.
In 2004, Baldelli had a similar season, batting .280 with 16 home runs, 74 runs batted in, 79 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. He led all major league center fielders in range factor (3.03).
According to professional baseball scouts, Baldelli shared many similarities to Hall of Fame outfielder Joe DiMaggio ever since his days as a prep star. This can be attributed to Baldelli's athletic ability, their shared position (center field), wearing the same uniform number (5), and their Italian-American heritage. Al LaMacchia, a professional scout for over 50 years, went so far as to call Rocco "Joe's twin" [2] [3].
[edit] Medical issues
Baldelli started the 2005 season on the disabled list because he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee while playing baseball with his brother in the offseason. He was initially expected to be back by the All-Star break, but while rehabilitating he injured his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss the entire 2005 season.
After missing almost a full season and a half, Baldelli returned to the Rays lineup against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 7, 2006. Baldelli played frequently for the rest of the 2006 campaign and hit .302 with 16 home runs, 57 runs batted in, 57 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in only 364 at bats.
In Spring Training before the 2007 season, however, Rocco pulled his hamstring. This injury would linger. After appearing in only 35 games early in the season, Baldelli was placed on the DL again. He reaggravated the injury while on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues and remained inactive for the remainder of the baseball season.
In the following offseason, Baldelli underwent extensive medical testing to determine the reasons for his muscle problems and extreme fatigue after even brief workouts. Doctors discovered some "metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities" but were unable to provide an exact diagnosis.[4]
Baldelli attempted to return to the field during Spring Training 2008, but was unable to do so. On March 12, Rocco held an emotional press conference in which he announced that he would be once again placed on the disabled list in an attempt to overcome his mysterious medical issues. Though he has not retired, his future career is in doubt.[5] On May 29, he played in an extended spring training game, getting one hit in five at-bats.[6]
On April 1, 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays declined Baldelli's option for 2009. This will make the 2008 season Baldelli's final one with the club unless a new contract is signed.[7]
There is some speculation that Baldelli maybe be able to return after the Extended Spring Training ends on June 10th.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=baldero01
- ^ Columns: Rocco facing a monstrous injustice
- ^ FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - VAN DYCK NOTES: Rocco arrives with a jolt
- ^ ESPN - Rays' Baldelli says extreme fatigue hinders his recovery from workouts - MLB
- ^ The Official Site of The Tampa Bay Rays: News: Baldelli headed to DL with fatigue
- ^ [1]
- ^ The Official Site of The Tampa Bay Rays: News: Crawford in, Baldelli out for 2009 Rays
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
- RoccoBaldelli.com
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