Former Italian / American Player: Mickey Morandini (1990-2000)

Michael Robert Morandini was born on April 22nd 1966 in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The five foot eleven second baseman, threw right but batted left handed.

After attending Indiana University at Bloomington, Minnesota he was a one of the top players in the 1987 International Cup Tournament. He was also a member of Team USA's champion Olympic Team in 1988. He was selected as a fifth round draft pick for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1988.

He got to the big leagues as a reserve infielder for the 1990 & 1991 seasons. In 1992 he became the Phillies main second baseman for the next six years.  On September 20th, 1992 he turned an unassisted triple play in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with Jeff King as the batter. In the Phillies 1993 NL pennant season, he batted .247 with 9 triples (third in the NL) 3 HRs 13 stolen bases & 33 RBIs.

Post Season: In the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves, he hit a two run triple in the final 6-3 Phillies clincher game at Veterans Stadium. In the World Series loss to The Toronto Blue Jays, he had just one start in favor of Mariano Duncan.

Morandini was not known for his hitting, but he did have some good seasons, batting over .290 twice. He was in the leagues top ten in triples four times, doubles & singles two times each. In 1995 he made the NL All Star team as well.

He was a solid second baseman, known as "the Dandy Glove Man", coming second in the league in fielding % four times & leading the league in that category in 1998, while with Chicago Cubs (.993%).

After eight seasons in Philadelphia he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1998 for Doug Glanville. Morandini only hit 32 career HRs in 4558 at bats, hitting a career best eight, while playing at Wrigley Field in 1988.

On July 1st 1999, he had a rare two HR game, in a wild 19-12 Cubs win over the Brewers at Wrigley Field.

After two seasons in Chicago, he closed out his career in 2000 playing for the Toronto Blue Jays & back with the Phils. In eleven seasons he hit .268 with 1222 hits 54 triples 32 HRs 209 doubles 597 runs scored & 351 RBIs. In 1245 games at second base he posted a .989 fielding % (12th all time best)  turning 669 double plays (91st all time).

Retirement: Morandini began coaching high school ball after his playing days. In 2011 he was manager of the A ball Williamsport Crosscutters in the Phillies organization. He then moved up to the Lakewood Blue Claws (2012-2013).

In 2014 he was named to the AAA Lehigh Valley coaching staff.