Dann Bilardello was a professional baseball player who played as a catcher in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. He was born on May 26, 1959, in Santa Cruz, California, and attended Cabrillo College before being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 7th round of the 1978 MLB draft.
Bilardello made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 1983 and played for them until 1985. He then played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986 and the Cincinnati Reds in 1987. In 1988, he returned to the Cardinals and played for them until 1990. He finished his MLB career with the Montreal Expos in 1992.
Throughout his career, Bilardello was known for his strong defensive skills as a catcher. He had a career fielding percentage of .988 and threw out 36% of attempted base stealers. However, he struggled at the plate, with a career batting average of .204 and only 9 home runs in 10 seasons.
Despite his limited offensive production, Bilardello was a valuable backup catcher and was known for his ability to handle pitchers and call games. He was also a respected veteran presence in the clubhouse and was often praised for his work ethic and professionalism.
After retiring from playing, Bilardello went on to coach in the minor leagues and served as a manager for several teams, including the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. He also worked as a catching instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Overall, Dann Bilardello had a solid career as a catcher in the MLB, known for his defensive skills and veteran leadership. While he may not have been a star player, he was a valuable contributor to several teams and went on to have a successful career as a coach and instructor in the minor leagues.
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