Tony Cuccinello

Infobox MLB retired
name = Tony Cuccinello


position = Second baseman
bats = Right
throws = Right
birthdate = birth date|1907|11|08
Long Island City, New York
deathdate = death date and age|1995|9|21|1907|11|08
Tampa, Florida
debutdate = April 15
debutyear = by|1930
debutteam = Cincinnati Reds
finaldate = September 25
finalyear = by|1945
finalteam = Chicago White Sox
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .280
stat2label = Hits
stat2value = 1,729
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 884
teams =
* Cincinnati Reds (by|1930–by|1931)
* Brooklyn Dodgers (by|1932–by|1935)
* Boston Bees (by|1936–by|1940)
* New York Giants (by|1940)
* Boston Braves (by|1942–by|1943)
* Chicago White Sox (by|1944–by|1945)
highlights =
* 3x All-Star selection (1933, 1938, 1945)

Anthony Francis Cuccinello (November 8, 1907 – September 21, 1995) was a second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from by|1930 through by|1945 for the Cincinnati Reds (1930–31), Brooklyn Dodgers (1933–35), Boston Bees/Braves (1936–40, 1941–43), New York Giants (1940) and Chicago White Sox (1943–45). Cuccinelo batted and threw right handed. He was the older brother of Al Cuccinello and uncle of Sam Mele.

A native of Long Island City, New York, Cuccinello led the National League second basemen in assists and double plays three times and hit .300 or better five times, with a career high .315 in by|1931. A three-time All-Star, he was selected to the first All-Star Game, played on July 6, by|1933 at Comiskey Park, appearing as a pinch-hitter for Carl Hubbell. He also played in the 1938 and 1945 Games.

During the 1945 season, Cuccinello hit .308 for the Chicago White Sox, and just missed winning the American League batting title, one point behind Snuffy Stirnweiss' .309. Nevertheless, he was released in the offseason.

In a 15-season career, Cuccinello was a .280 hitter with 94 home runs and 884 RBI in 1704 games.

Following his playing retirement, in 1947 Cuccinello managed in the Florida International League for the Tampa team (named the "Smokers", after the city's large cigar business), and a year later coached for the Indianapolis Indians of the American Association. He returned to the majors to coach with the Reds (1949–51), Cleveland Indians (1952–56), White Sox (1957–66; 1969) and Detroit Tigers (1967–68). He served under former teammate Al Lopez in Cleveland and Chicago, and was a member of the by|1954 and by|1959 American League champions and the by|1968 World Series champions.

Cuccinello died in Tampa, Florida at the age of 87.

Milestone

*On July 5, 1935, Cuccinello hit one home run for the Dodgers, while his brother Al hit one homer with the Giants, joining a select group that includes Aaron and Bret Boone, César and Felipe Crespo, Héctor and José Cruz, Dom and Joe DiMaggio, Graig and Jim Nettles, and Rick and Wes Ferrell. The seven sets of brothers hit their homers playing for opposing teams.

ee also

* Chicago White Sox all-time roster

ources

* [http://www.baseballhistorian.com/html/search_results.cfm Baseball Historian]
* [http://baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Cuccinello_Tony.stm Baseball Library]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cuccito01.shtml Baseball Reference]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Tony_Cuccinello BR Bullpen]