Tony Tarasco is a former professional baseball player who played as an outfielder for several teams during his career. He was born on December 20, 1970, in New York City and attended the University of Connecticut, where he played college baseball.
Tarasco was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 1988 Major League Baseball draft. He made his major league debut with the Braves in 1991 and played for them until 1995. During his time with the Braves, Tarasco was known for his speed and defensive skills, and he helped the team win the National League Championship in 1992.
In 1996, Tarasco was traded to the Montreal Expos, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Baltimore Orioles from 1998 to 2000, where he had one of his best seasons in 1999, hitting .275 with 15 home runs and 60 RBIs.
Tarasco finished his career with the New York Yankees in 2002, where he played in just 13 games before being released. Overall, he played in 669 games over nine seasons, hitting .249 with 46 home runs and 201 RBIs.
One of the most memorable moments of Tarasco's career came during the 1996 American League Championship Series between the Orioles and the Yankees. In Game 1, Tarasco was playing right field when a fly ball hit by Derek Jeter was interfered with by a young fan named Jeffrey Maier, who reached over the wall and caught the ball. The umpires ruled it a home run, which tied the game and helped the Yankees win in extra innings. Tarasco was visibly upset by the call and argued with the umpires, but the call stood.
After retiring from baseball, Tarasco became a coach and manager in the minor leagues. He also worked as a coach for the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds. In 2019, he was named the manager of the Staten Island Yankees, a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees.
Overall, Tony Tarasco had a solid career as a professional baseball player, known for his speed and defensive skills. While he may be best remembered for the controversial play in the 1996 ALCS, he was a valuable player for several teams during his career and has continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and manager.
⚾