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Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo grew up in Chicago hearing stories from his father, the legendary scout Phil Rizzo, about Italian sports icons like Joe DiMaggio and Rocky Marciano. Now the younger Rizzo will take his place alongside DiMaggio, Marciano and other greats from his ethnic heritage when he is inducted Friday night into th...

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Not often will the church organist play “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” But it was fitting Saturday, when a light snow fell as the baseball community said goodbye to its friend John Stella. The 88-year-old died Dec. 1 of complications from leukemia. Known for his devotion to the sport at Omaha South and the American Legion, Stella's funeral at St. F...

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Terry Francona, a.k.a. Tito, admitted that in his grandfather's language he cannot express a single concept. He does remember four words, though: "In the name of the father." Because the priest would say them in Italian, precisely, and when that moment came it meant that the liturgy was ending, "and it was almost the moment when you could finally p...

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If there was a mayor of South Omaha, John Stella was it. The friendly guy with the bushy mustache who seemingly knew everyone died Friday of complications from leukemia. He was 88. Stella’s long life revolved around the sport of baseball, a love affair that lasted almost nine decades. He was most devoted to the sport through the American Legion, a...

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The Italian American Baseball Foundation celebrated a historic year with nearly 500 guests joining the festivities at Marina Del Rey in Bronx, New York on Thursday, November 30, 2023. From the documentary 'Mission: Classic' to the doubling of scholarships, Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball President Andrea Marcon could not be more happy with t...

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The Mets, like every other team, are looking to improve this offseason but with New York they are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 campaign. Following a 101-win season, the Mets finished below .500 and missed the postseason resulting in sweeping changes including to their manager. With newly hired David Stearns as the team’s Presiden...

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The complete documentary that tells the story of Team Italy's adventure at the 2023 World Baseball Classic is now streaming on the Italian American Baseball Foundation YouTube Channel. After a successful premiere in Milan on November 8th at the Sport Movies & TV Festival, Mission: Classic chronicles the Italian national team at the 2023 World Baseb...

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The full-length Mission Classic Italia Baseball film will debut at the 40th annual Milan International FICTS Fest. The Federation of International Cinema Television Sportifs is recognized by the International Olympic Committee for promoting the values of sport through footage. The screening on November 8 at 6.30 p.m. at the Testori Auditorium will...

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When Sal Maglie was finishing his two years, 1956-1957, with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he gave advice to his two future Hall of Fame teammates, Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Known around baseball as “The Barber,” Sal told the future greats: "Throw that second brushback pitch right away so the batter will know you meant the first one." Koufax and Drysd...

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During an era in which mainstream society is being told to honor diversity, equity, and inclusion, it seems the only people who don’t benefit from this cultural revolution are those who are of European descent. For example, October is celebrated as Italian American Heritage and Culture Month and has been since 1989.  Yet, as written previously, one...

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