Chris Cannizzaro
From BR Bullpen
Christopher John Cannizzaro
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 190 lb.
- Debut April 17, 1960
- Final Game September 28, 1974
- Born May 3, 1938 in Oakland, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
A journeyman catcher, Chris Cannizzaro was an original New York Met. He had the misfortune of having a name that was easy to mispronounce: Mets' manager Casey Stengel would call him "Canzaroni" and Chicago Cubs broadcaster and Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau would try "Canzanaro." In 1969, he would also become an original San Diego Padre and was the first Padre to play in the All-Star Game.
One of the slowest men in baseball, Cannizzaro once failed to score from second base on a clean double. He never scored more than 27 runs in a season, even though the was a regular for four seasons. He was an adequate defensive catcher with good enough skills to stay around the big leagues for a decade. He ended his playing days with San Diego in 1974.
Cannizzaro was an Atlanta Braves coach from 1976 to 1978 and then managed in the California Angels farm system for several seasons. After serving as an assistant coach at the University of San Diego, he has been the school's Director of Baseball Operations since 2006.
His son, Chris Cannizzaro Jr., played minor league baseball.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL All-Star (1969)
