Tony Graffanino

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Tony Graffanino

Free Agent — No. --
Infielder
Born: June 6, 1972 (1972-06-06) (age 36)
Bats: Right Throws: Right 
Major League Baseball debut
April 19, 1996 for the Atlanta Braves
Selected MLB statistics
(through 2007)
Hits     743
Home runs     58
Batting Average     .267
Teams

Anthony Joseph (Tony) Graffanino (pronounced /ˈɡɹæfɨˌniːnoʊ̪/; born June 6, 1972 in Amityville, New York) is a free agent infielder in Major League Baseball, and most recently played for the Milwaukee Brewers.

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[edit] Career

Graffanino is primarily a contact hitter (just 481 strikeouts in 2787 big-league at-bats) who is able to get on base (career .336 OBP) – and his speed is above average, with 53 stolen bases in 78 attempts. He excels as a situational hitter, being capable of hitting behind the runner and dropping down a bunt. As a fielder, he has the ability to play every infield position and left field. He has an above-average arm, which helps him in the LF and on the left side of the infield.

After spending three years with the Braves, 2 1⁄2 seasons with Tampa Bay, and another 3 1⁄2 with the White Sox, Graffanino played only second base for Kansas City in 2004, but he has moved around more in 2005. Obtained by the Boston Red Sox after the All-Star Game, he started at second base following the cut of Mark Bellhorn.

In 2005 Graffanino hit .298 for the Royals and .319 with the Red Sox for a combined .309 (117-for-379), a career high. He also posted career numbers in RBI (38), runs (68), doubles (17), games (110), and hits. He received some notoriety, particularly in New England, for making an error in the fifth inning of Game Two of the 2005 American League Division Series. The Red Sox were swept in that series.

As for Graffanino's minor league career, he spent time with Pulaski in 1990, the Idaho Falls Braves of the Pioneer League in 1991, the Macon Braves of the South Atlantic League in 1992, the Durham Bulls in 1993 and the Greenville Braves of the Southern League in 1994.

Graffanino was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2006 All Star Break for left-handed pitcher, Jorge De La Rosa.

In 2007, Graffanino struggled to begin the year, but after the call up of talented prospect Ryan Braun, Graffanino seemed to be invigorated and raised his sub .200 batting average to over .240 over a month's time. He slugged nine home runs in only 231 at-bats that season. But on August 8, Graffanino tore his ACL, ending his season with a .238 batting average. After the 2007 World Series, Tony officially became a Free Agent.

[edit] Facts

  • Graffanino has been very active in the community during his career. in 2002, he coordinated and led baseball clinics for boys and girls from Mercy Home at U.S. Cellular Field and signed autographs at the James R. Thompson Center to promote the need for organ donors.
  • Graffanino was born Anthony Graffagnino but dropped the "g" after numerous mispronunciations from minor league announcers.
  • Grew up in East Islip, New York, also home town to football great Boomer Esiason.
  • Graffanino lives with his wife, Nicole, and two sons, A.J. and Nicholas, in Hockessin, Delaware.
  • Graffanino has the distinction of having been traded away not once, but twice by the Kansas City Royals, first to the Boston Red Sox in 2005 and then to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006.
  • Nickname is "Trout".

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[edit] External links