Rich Monteleone was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher for various teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on March 22, 1963, in Tampa, Florida, and attended the University of South Florida. Monteleone was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the first round of the 1982 MLB draft, and he made his debut in the MLB in 1987.
Monteleone played for several teams during his career, including the Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, California Angels, and Texas Rangers. He was primarily used as a relief pitcher and had a career record of 22 wins and 30 losses with an ERA of 4.52. Monteleone was known for his fastball and slider, which he used to strike out batters.
One of Monteleone's most memorable moments in his career was when he pitched a no-hitter for the Seattle Mariners in 1992. He came in as a relief pitcher in the sixth inning and pitched the rest of the game, striking out six batters and walking two. The Mariners won the game 6-0, and Monteleone became the first pitcher in Mariners history to pitch a no-hitter.
Monteleone retired from baseball in 1996 after playing for nine seasons in the MLB. After his retirement, he became a pitching coach for various teams, including the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, New York Yankees, and Seattle Mariners. He also worked as a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks and was the pitching coach for the Italian national baseball team.
In addition to his baseball career, Monteleone is also known for his charitable work. He founded the Rich Monteleone Baseball Academy, which provides baseball training for young players in the Tampa Bay area. He also supports various charities, including the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Overall, Rich Monteleone had a successful career as a professional baseball player and has continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and mentor. His no-hitter for the Seattle Mariners and his charitable work are just a few examples of his accomplishments both on and off the field.
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