Former Italian /American Player: Paul Sorrento (1989-1999)

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Paul Anthony Sorrento born November 17, 1965 in Somerville, Massachusetts. Sorrento attended Florida State University getting drafted in the 4th round of the 1986 draft by the California Angels.

Sorrento was a hot prospect & in 1988 he & two minor leaguers were traded to Minnesota for Bert Blyleven.

In 1989 with the Twins organization, he was named to the AA Southern League's All-Star team as he led the league with 35 doubles and 112 RBI. His 27 HRs were  second only to league MVP; Eric Anthony's 28. Defensively Sorrento was rated as a fine first baseman with his glove.

Sorrento debuted with the Twins in 1989, hitting his first career HR the following season. He saw brief action in the 1991 World Series going 0-3 as a pinch hitter.

In March of 1992, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians where he had two straight 18 HR seasons, driving in over 60 RBIs both years. In 1995 he hit 25 HRs with 79 RBIs for the AL Champion Indians, averaging a HR every 13 at bats, although his batting average was only at .231.

Post Season: In the ALDS  against the Boston Red Sox, he batted .300 with an RBI in the Game #3 series clincher. In the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners he hit just .154 with two hits in 13 at bats.

In the World Series against the Atlanta Braves he struggled again batting just .182 with two hits in eleven at bats. 

He was sent to the Seattle Mariners the next season, having career highs in hits (136) RBIs (93) doubles (32) & batting average (.289). In 1997 he hit 31 HRs averaging a HR every 15 at bats (7th most in the league) while posting the leagues second best fielding % at first base (.996).

He got to another post season that year, batting .300 with a HR in Game #3 of the NLDS against the Baltimore Orioles. In 1998 he signed with the Tampa Rays as a free agent, playing out his last two seasons there.

After an 11 year career, Sorrento hit 166 HRs in 3412 at bats, averaging a HR every 20 at bats, ranking him in the top 140 all time. He batted .257 with 565 RBIs enjoying four 20 plus doubles seasons as well as three 30 plus HR seasons. At first base his career .994 fielding % in 55th best all time.

More recently he has coached baseball in the state of Washington.

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