Matt Pagnozzi
Encyclopedia
Matthew Thomas Pagnozzi (born November 10, 1982 in Miami, Arizona
) is an American
professional baseball
catcher
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
of Major League Baseball
.
Pagnozzi attended Highland High School
in Gilbert, Arizona
and then Central Arizona College
. Pagnozzi was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 8th round of the 2003 June amateur draft, as the 245th pick overall.
Pagnozzi made his professional debut with the New Jersey Cardinals
of the New York-Penn League. By 2008, he had advanced to the Memphis Redbirds
, the AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals
. In September 2009, the Cardinals called him up to the big leagues as a September call-up. Matt Pagnozzi made his big-league debut on September 29, 2009, appearing as a pinch-hitter and drawing a walk. Pagnozzi hit his first major league home run
on September 28, 2010 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
On November 29, Pagnozzi signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies
. He was purchased on June 17, 2011.
On Wednesday September 14, 2011, Pagnozzi was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates had previously tried to acquire Pagnozzi in June 2011, after cathers Ryan Doumit
and Chris Snyder
went down with injuries. Those talks failed, and the Pirates instead received Michael McKenry
from the Boston Red Sox
. Pagnozzi is set be the 52nd player to appear in a game for the Pirates for the 2011 season
, breaking the franchise record of 51 players set in 2010. The record amount of players to appear on the team is due to the large amount of injuries sustained by the team in 2011.
, was a three-time Gold Glove
winning catcher for the Cardinals from 1987 through 1998.
Miami, Arizona
Miami is a town in Gila County, Arizona, United States. Miami is a classic Western copper boomtown, though the copper mines are largely dormant now...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Pagnozzi attended Highland High School
Highland High School (Gilbert, Arizona)
Highland High School is a public high school located in Gilbert, Arizona, serving as part of the Gilbert Unified School District. The school has served the area since 1993.-Robotics:...
in Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert, Arizona
-Demographics:As of July 1, 2009, Maricopa Association of Governments, Census 2000. United States Census Bureau. there were 217,521 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household....
and then Central Arizona College
Central Arizona College
Central Arizona College is a public community college located in Coolidge, Arizona. "CAC," as the school is commonly known, serves the population of Pinal County.The school's sports teams are called the Vaqueros and the colors are green and gold...
. Pagnozzi was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 8th round of the 2003 June amateur draft, as the 245th pick overall.
Pagnozzi made his professional debut with the New Jersey Cardinals
New Jersey Cardinals
The New Jersey Cardinals were a Short-Season A minor league baseball team affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. They were a member of the New York - Penn League and played at Skylands Park in Augusta, New Jersey from 1994-2005.-History:...
of the New York-Penn League. By 2008, he had advanced to the Memphis Redbirds
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They play their home games at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The stadium's capacity is 14,320. They entered the Pacific Coast League as an expansion team in 1998, and were owned as a...
, the AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. In September 2009, the Cardinals called him up to the big leagues as a September call-up. Matt Pagnozzi made his big-league debut on September 29, 2009, appearing as a pinch-hitter and drawing a walk. Pagnozzi hit his first major league home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
on September 28, 2010 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.
On November 29, Pagnozzi signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. He was purchased on June 17, 2011.
On Wednesday September 14, 2011, Pagnozzi was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates had previously tried to acquire Pagnozzi in June 2011, after cathers Ryan Doumit
Ryan Doumit
Ryan Matthew Doumit is an American professional baseball catcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. He played the first seven years of his career for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Professional career:...
and Chris Snyder
Chris Snyder
Christopher Cornelius Snyder is a catcher in Major League Baseball who is a Free Agent. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He bats and throws right-handed.-High school and college:...
went down with injuries. Those talks failed, and the Pirates instead received Michael McKenry
Michael McKenry
Michael Charles McKenry is an American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
from the Boston Red Sox
Boston 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"...
. Pagnozzi is set be the 52nd player to appear in a game for the Pirates for the 2011 season
2011 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the Pirates' 125th season as a member of Major League Baseball and 130th season overall. The season was the first with manager Clint Hurdle, who was hired to replace the fired John Russell...
, breaking the franchise record of 51 players set in 2010. The record amount of players to appear on the team is due to the large amount of injuries sustained by the team in 2011.
Personal life
His uncle, Tom PagnozziTom Pagnozzi
Thomas Alan Pagnozzi is a former Major League Baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a catcher, Pagnozzi also made 40 appearances at first base and seven appearances at third base during his 12-season career, which spanned from 1987 to 1998.Initially a backup catcher and utility...
, was a three-time Gold Glove
Rawlings Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
winning catcher for the Cardinals from 1987 through 1998.