Firsts and Records

In 1925, Tony Lazzeri, playing for the Salt Lake City Bees in the Pacific Coast League, became the first player to hit sixty home runs in organized baseball.

In 1935, following an eight-year playing career, Babe Pinelli became the first Italian American umpire in major league history. In 1956, at the end of his 22-year career, he was the home plate umpire for Don Larsen’s perfect game in the fifth game of the World Series, the first (and to date the only) no-hitter in Series history.

Lou Chiozza (Phillies) was the first batter in the first major league night game on May 24, 1935, at Crosley Field, Cincinnati.

On May 24, 1936, Tony Lazzeri (Yankees) became the first major leaguer to hit two grand slams in the same game, and on that same day he set the still-standing American League record for most RBIs in a single game: 11.

In 1938, Ernie Lombardi (Reds) became the first Italian American to win the MVP Award. The following year, Joe DiMaggio (Yankees) was the first to win the award in the American League.

Vince DiMaggio held the single-season strikeout record (134) from 1938 to 1956.

In 1944, Lou Perini (Boston Braves) became the first MLB owner of Italian descent.

On October 2, 1947, Yogi Berra (Yankees) hit the first pinch-hit home run in a World Series game.

In 1949, Dom DiMaggio set the still-standing Red Sox record by hitting in 34 straight games.

In 1951, Phil Cavarretta of the Chicago Cubs became the first Italian American to manage a major league team for a full season. (Oscar “Spinach” Melillo managed the St. Louis Browns for the final nine games of the 1938 season.).

In 1951, Emil “Buzzie” Bavasi (Brooklyn Dodgers) became the first general manager of Italian descent.

Yogi Berra and Roy Campanella are two of 11 catchers since 1900 to catch three no-hitters in a single season (1956), but they are the only players to have caught two by the same pitcher: Berra and Allie Reynolds, Campanella and Carl Erskine. Berra’s third no-hitter was Don Larsen’s perfect game in the World Series.

In 1964, Yogi Berra (Yankees) became the first Italian American manager to win a pennant.

In 1965, Sam Mele (Twins) became the first Italian American to win The Sporting News Manager of the Year Award.

In 1977, Billy Martin became the first Italian American manager to win a World Series when the Yankees defeated Tommy Lasorda’s Dodgers.

In 1983, Tommy Lasorda (Dodgers) and Tony La Russa (White Sox) were the first recipients of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America Manager of the Year Award.

Gary Gaetti has the most homers (360) of all players who hit a home run in his first major-league at-bat. He was also the first player to hit home runs in his first two post-season at-bats: second and fifth innings of Game 1, 1987 ALCS.

In 1988, Frank Viola (Twins) became the first Italian American to win the Cy Young Award.

In 2000, Jason and Jeremy Giambi hit a combined 60 homers, breaking the previous single-season record of most home runs by brothers (59) set in 1937 by Joe and Vince DiMaggio. Tony and Billy Conigliaro are fourth, with 54 homers in 1970.

On May 5, 2004, Mike Piazza (Mets) hit home run number 352 to establish a new career record for home runs by a catcher. He ended his career with 396 homers.

Craig Biggio (Astros) is the only player in major league history to achieve all of these milestones: 600 doubles, 250 home runs, 2,700 hits and 400 stolen bases. He also holds the post-1900 record for most times hit by a pitch (285) and the National League record for most leadoff home runs (53).

Andy Pettitte (Yankees and Astros) holds the record for most wins in the postseason with 19. In his 18-year career (1995-2013), he never had a losing season.

Miscellaneous

Fred Caligiuri (Philadelphia A’s), pitching in the second game of a doubleheader on the final day of the 1941 season, gave up a single and double to Ted Williams, enabling Williams to end the season with a .406 average.

Lou and Dino Chiozza (1935 Phillies) were one of five brother shortstop-second base duos in major league history.

A colorful slugging first baseman (1934-’40), Henry  “Zeke” Bonura was one of the first players drafted in World War II. On October 23, 1944, General Dwight Eisenhower  personally awarded him the Legion of Merit medal for his work in organizing baseball and other sports leagues for American troops in North Africa.

Phil Cavarretta was the only major league player active when Babe Ruth hit his final home run and Hank Aaron hit his first.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (2007-18) holds the record for the longest surname in major-league history.