Lou Merloni

Louis William "Sweet Lou" Merloni (born April 6, 1971 in Framingham, Massachusetts) is a former Major League Baseball player. Merloni played for his hometown Boston Red Sox from 1998-2003. Merloni is well-known locally for his frequent trips between the Red Sox and their Triple-A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox, which has become known as the "Merloni Shuttle" [http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/02/16/youkilis_is_ready_to_start_the_show/] . He has also played for the San Diego Padres, the Cleveland Indians, and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. After beginning the 2006 season at AAA, Merloni was called up to the Indians on May 17, 2006.

He graduated from Providence College in 1993 and still holds several single-season and career records for the now-defunct Friars baseball team.

Merloni was a replacement player during the 1994 Major League Baseball strike and is therefore barred from membership in the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Merloni signed a contract with the Oakland Athletics for the 2007 season. He played the season for the A's AAA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats. Merloni was chosen as the Most Valuable Player in the 2007 Bricktown Showdown, leading the River Cats over the Richmond Braves by a final score of 7-1. He was also voted Best Defensive Player and Best Teammate for the 2007 season. Merloni contributed a home run and 4 RBIs in the game. Before the game, Merloni was chosen as the River Cats' team Captain. [http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/387112.html]

In the offseasons of 1996 and 1997, Merloni served as a substitute gym teacher at Framingham High School, where he attended high school

Beginning in March 2008, Merloni began appearing on WEEI-AM's "Big Show" as a co-host.

Beginning May 27,2008, Merloni joined the New England Sports Network (NESN) as a commentator on the Red Sox pre-game and post-game shows. [http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/05/13/tavarez_is_relieved_of_duty/?page=2] .

References

External links

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* [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5997 ESPN profile]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?statsId=5997 ESPN statistics]