Rick Cerone

Biography

Rick Cerone was a professional baseball player who played as a catcher for several teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He was born on May 19, 1954, in Newark, New Jersey, and attended Seton Hall University, where he played college baseball.

Cerone began his professional career in 1975 when he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the MLB draft. He made his debut for the Indians in 1975 and played for them until 1978. He then played for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1979 to 1980, the New York Yankees from 1980 to 1984, the Atlanta Braves in 1985, the Milwaukee Brewers from 1986 to 1987, the New York Mets in 1988, the Boston Red Sox in 1989, and the Montreal Expos in 1990. He returned to the Yankees in 1990 and played for them until 1992, which was his last season in the MLB.

Cerone was known for his defensive skills as a catcher, and he was also a decent hitter. He had a career batting average of .245, with 59 home runs and 368 runs batted in (RBIs). He was also a good defensive catcher, with a career fielding percentage of .988 and a caught stealing percentage of 33.6%.

Cerone played in two All-Star Games during his career, in 1980 and 1981, and he won a Gold Glove Award in 1980. He also played in the postseason several times, including with the Yankees in 1981, when they won the World Series. He had a memorable moment in the 1980 American League Championship Series (ALCS) when he hit a game-winning home run in the 10th inning of Game 3 against the Kansas City Royals.

After retiring from baseball, Cerone became a coach and manager in the minor leagues. He also worked as a broadcaster for the Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2011, he was inducted into the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

Overall, Rick Cerone had a successful career as a catcher in the MLB, playing for several teams over the course of 17 seasons. He was known for his defensive skills and had some memorable moments in the postseason, including winning a World Series with the Yankees in 1981.

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Chicago White Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays - Radio

3½ hours Apr 7, 1977Apr 7, 1977

On April 7, 1977, at Exhibition Stadium, the Toronto Blue Jays faced off against the...

Chicago White Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays - Radio / On April 7, 1977, at Exhibition Stadium, the Toronto Blue Jays faced off against the Chicago White Sox in a game that captured early season intrigue. The starting pitchers, Ken Brett for the White Sox and Bill Singer for the Blue Jays, took the mound under the watchful eyes of baseball enthusiasts keen to see how these teams would perform. This season was particularly notable for the Blue Jays, marking their inaugural year in Major League Baseball, adding a layer of excitement and anticipation around their games. The White Sox, on the other hand, were looking to make their mark early in the season, aiming to build on their past performances and eyeing a successful campaign. The game unfolded with an energetic start as both teams put runs on the board in the early innings. Notably, Richie Zisk of the White Sox showcased his power with a home run in the first inning, setting a competitive tone. The Blue Jays responded in kind, with Doug Ault hitting two home runs, one in the first and another in the third inning, contributing significantly to the Blue Jays' offense. The middle innings saw a continuation of this back-and-forth, with both teams' offenses finding opportunities to score. The Blue Jays' Al Woods also made a notable debut, hitting a home run that added to the excitement of the game. The pitching changes for both teams attempted to stem the flow of runs, with the Blue Jays' bullpen managing to hold off the White Sox's advances in the later innings.