Chris Iannetta is a former professional baseball player who played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on April 8, 1983, in Providence, Rhode Island, and attended St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Iannetta began his baseball career at the University of North Carolina, where he played for the Tar Heels from 2002 to 2004. He was then drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 2004 MLB draft.
Iannetta made his MLB debut with the Rockies on August 27, 2006, and played for the team until 2011. During his time with the Rockies, he was known for his strong defensive skills and his ability to hit for power. He hit a career-high 18 home runs in 2008 and was named the Rockies' starting catcher in the 2009 playoffs.
In 2012, Iannetta signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as a free agent. He played for the Angels for four seasons, during which he continued to be a solid defensive catcher and a reliable hitter. He hit a career-high .252 in 2014 and was named the Angels' defensive player of the year in 2015.
After his time with the Angels, Iannetta played for several other teams, including the Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Colorado Rockies (again). He continued to be a valuable player, known for his leadership and his ability to work with pitchers. He was particularly effective at framing pitches, which helped his teams get more called strikes.
In 2019, Iannetta signed with the Colorado Rockies for a second time. He played in 52 games for the team, hitting .222 with six home runs and 21 RBIs. However, he struggled defensively, committing seven errors and allowing 10 passed balls.
After the 2019 season, Iannetta became a free agent and announced his retirement from baseball in January 2020. He finished his career with a .230 batting average, 141 home runs, and 502 RBIs. He also had a reputation as a smart and hardworking player who was respected by his teammates and coaches.
Off the field, Iannetta was known for his charitable work and his involvement in the community. He and his wife, Lisa, founded the Iannetta Family Foundation, which supports organizations that help children and families in need. He was also active in the Major League Baseball Players Association and served as a player representative for several teams.
Overall, Chris Iannetta had a successful career as a catcher in Major League Baseball. He was known for his strong defensive skills, his ability to work with pitchers, and his leadership on and off the field. While he may not have been a superstar player, he was a valuable asset to every team he played for and left a positive impact on the game of baseball.
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