Lenny DiNardo
Encyclopedia
Leonard Edward DiNardo is a professional baseball pitcher
in the Oakland Athletics
organization. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in Alachua, Florida in 1998, and went on to attend Stetson University
. DiNardo bats and throws left-handed
.
selected DiNardo in the 10th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
, but he did not sign, opting to attend Stetson University
instead. Three years later, he would sign with the New York Mets
when they selected him in the 3rd round. In the summer of , DiNardo made his professional debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones
, the Mets Single-A affiliate.
In , he played for the Columbia Mets
in the South Atlantic League
, another Single-A farm team of the Mets.
As is the requirement with Rule 5 selections, DiNardo would remain on the Red Sox major league roster during the entire season. He began the season on the disabled list
and made his major league debut on April 23 against the New York Yankees
in Yankee Stadium
. DiNardo spent much of the second half of the season back on the disabled list. Nevertheless, the lanky left-hander received a World Series
ring for his contributions to the 2004 World Series
Champion Red Sox.
Having satisfied the requirement of keeping DiNardo on the major league roster, the Red Sox sent the pitcher to Triple-A Pawtucket to start the season. He was recalled to the major league club five different times during the year.
In , DiNardo made six starts in place of the injured David Wells
. However, he spent a lot of time on the disabled list himself, due to a neck injury. DiNardo played for Italy
at 2006 World Baseball Classic
.
To prepare for the MLB season, DiNardo played for the Peoria Javelinas
of the Arizona Fall League
.
claimed DiNardo off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. DiNardo finished the season having made 20 starts, with an 8-10 record and an ERA
of 4.11.
at the 2009 World Baseball Classic
.
the deal includes an invite to spring training.
.However on April 1, 2011 he was released.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
organization. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in Alachua, Florida in 1998, and went on to attend Stetson University
Stetson University
Stetson University is a private university with four colleges and schools located across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. The primary undergraduate campus is located in DeLand, Florida, USA. In the 2012 U.S...
. DiNardo bats and throws left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
.
New York Mets
In , the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
selected DiNardo in the 10th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1998...
, but he did not sign, opting to attend Stetson University
Stetson University
Stetson University is a private university with four colleges and schools located across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. The primary undergraduate campus is located in DeLand, Florida, USA. In the 2012 U.S...
instead. Three years later, he would sign with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
when they selected him in the 3rd round. In the summer of , DiNardo made his professional debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones
Brooklyn Cyclones
The Brooklyn Cyclones is a minor league baseball team in the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League, affiliated with the New York Mets. The Cyclones play at MCU Park just off the Coney Island boardwalk in the New York City borough of Brooklyn....
, the Mets Single-A affiliate.
In , he played for the Columbia Mets
Columbia Mets
Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the Columbia Mets were affiliated with the New York Mets from 1983 to 1992. A member of the South Atlantic League, they became the Capital City Bombers in 1993. They played in Capital City Stadium.-Year by Year Record:...
in the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
, another Single-A farm team of the Mets.
Boston Red Sox
In , he split time between St. Lucie (Single-A) and Binghamton (Double-A). He pitched well enough to warrant being selected by the Boston Red Sox during the Rule V Draft on December 15.As is the requirement with Rule 5 selections, DiNardo would remain on the Red Sox major league roster during the entire season. He began the season on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and made his major league debut on April 23 against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
. DiNardo spent much of the second half of the season back on the disabled list. Nevertheless, the lanky left-hander received a World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
ring for his contributions to the 2004 World Series
2004 World Series
The 2004 World Series was the Major League Baseball championship series for the 2004 season. It was the 100th World Series and featured the American League champions, the Boston Red Sox, against the National League champions, the St. Louis Cardinals...
Champion Red Sox.
Having satisfied the requirement of keeping DiNardo on the major league roster, the Red Sox sent the pitcher to Triple-A Pawtucket to start the season. He was recalled to the major league club five different times during the year.
In , DiNardo made six starts in place of the injured David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
. However, he spent a lot of time on the disabled list himself, due to a neck injury. DiNardo played for Italy
Italy national baseball team
The Italy national baseball team is the team that represents Italy in international baseball competition. The Italian national team is currently ranked 12th in the world.-World Baseball Classic:...
at 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
.
To prepare for the MLB season, DiNardo played for the Peoria Javelinas
Peoria Javelinas
The Peoria Javelinas, established in 1992, are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. The Javelinas play their home games in the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona, which is a spring training site for both the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners.For...
of the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
.
Oakland Athletics
On February 14, 2007, the Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
claimed DiNardo off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. DiNardo finished the season having made 20 starts, with an 8-10 record and an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 4.11.
Kansas City Royals
He signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals on December 17, 2008. DiNardo again represented ItalyItaly national baseball team
The Italy national baseball team is the team that represents Italy in international baseball competition. The Italian national team is currently ranked 12th in the world.-World Baseball Classic:...
at the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
.
Second stint with the Athletics
On January 8, 2010, DiNardo, signed a minor league contract to return to the Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
the deal includes an invite to spring training.
Second stint with the Red Sox
On December 15, 2010, DiNardo, signed a minor league contract to return to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.However on April 1, 2011 he was released.