Edward Abbaticchio

Edoardo Giacomo Abbaticchio (April 15, 1877 - January 6, 1957) was the first Major Leaguer of Italian ancestry.

He was primarily a shortstop and second baseman, though he also saw playing time in the outfield and at third base. Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, he made his Major League debut in by|1897 for the Philadelphia Phillies. He would later play for the Boston Beaneaters and the Pittsburgh Pirates (he was on their 1909 World Series team, striking out in his only at-bat). He had initially decided to leave baseball in by|1906, choosing to run a hotel instead; however, the Pirates coaxed him back, and he continued to play until by|1910. He was an above-average fielder and base thief. In addition to his baseball skills, he was among the first wave of professional football players.

He died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

*Positions: 2B, OF, 3B, and SS
*Batted: right
*Threw: right
*Born: April 15, 1877 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania
*Died: January 6, 1957 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
*Bebut: 1897 for the Philadelphia Phillies
*Final game: 1910 for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Career Statistics:

Hitting
*G: 855
*AB: 3044
*R: 355
*H: 772
*2B: 99
*3B: 43
*HR: 11
*RBI: 324
*TB: 990
*BB: 289
*SB: 142
*OBP: .316
*SLG: .325
*: .254
*SH: 93
*HBP: 33
*PA: 3459
*XBH: 153
*OPS: .642Fielding
*G: 830
*TC: 4555
*PO: 1872
*A: 2368
*E: 315
*DP: 247
*FPCT: .931Teams
*Philadelphia Phillies: 1897-1898
*Boston Beaneaters: 1903-1905
*Pittsburgh Pirates: 1907-1909, 1910
*Boston Doves: 1910

External links

* [http://www.thediamondangle.com/archive/aug01/abbaticchio.html "The Diamond Angle" article on Edward Abbaticchio]
* [http://www.snopes.com/sports/baseball/1908foul.asp "Foul Poll"] Snopes on a rumor about a 1908 Pirates-Cubs game.