Rocco Baldelli
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Rocco Baldelli (born September 22, 1981 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island) is currently the star center fielder in Major League Baseball for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Rocco Baldelli graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island, where he was seen by scouts. Baldelli made his major league debut on March 31, 2003.
Some have predicted that Baldelli will someday become a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame because of his outstanding talent at such a young age. In 2003, he and Hideki Matsui were among the contenders for AL Rookie of the Year. Baldelli was considered the favorite for the first few months of the season as he put up some great numbers, but his consistency did not last while Matsui continued to be a consistent run producer. Matsui - a Japanese baseball star who spent many years in Japan's professional league - and Baldelli both fell short of winning the award, losing out to Angel Berroa of the Kansas City Royals. Several members of the BBWAA contested Matsui's rookie eligibility, and two left him off their ballots, ensuring the win for Berroa.
In 2004, Baldelli had a similar season, batting .280 with 16 home runs and 74 runs batted in.
Baldelli started the 2005 season on the disabled list because he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee while playing basketball in the offseason. He was initially expected to be back by the All-Star break, but while rehabilitating he injured his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery. Since position players' recovery time from Tommy John surgery is shorter than pitchers', he is expected to be ready for spring training in March 2006. However, he is now scheduled to miss the rest of the 2005 season.
External links
- RoccoBaldelli.com (http://www.roccobaldelli.com)
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