This is a List of Italian Americans in sports. To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Italian American sports people or must have references showing they are Italian American sports people and are notable.
[edit] Athletes [edit] Baseball - Ed Abbaticchio
- Jeremy Accardo
- Joey Amalfitano
- Johnny Antonelli
- Rich Aurilia
- Steve Balboni
- Rocco Baldelli (born 1981)
- Sal Bando
- Phil Barzilla
- Johnny Berardino (1939-1952, World Series 1948 Cleveland Indians)
- Dale Berra
- Yogi Berra (born 1925), born Lawrence Peter Berra. Former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball. The Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Yogi Bear was named after him.
- Al Brancato
- Craig Biggio (born 1965), baseball player
- Rico Brogna
- Lou Camilli
- Ken Caminiti
- Roy Campanella (1921-1993), Baseball Hall of Fame (Italian father)
- Tom Candiotti
- John Cangelosi
- Chris Capuano
- Bernie Carbo
- Robert Castellini, owner and team president of the Cincinnati Reds
- Frank Catalonotto (born 1974)
- Phil Cavarretta
- Rick Cerone
- John Cerutti
- Gino Cimoli
- Cody Cillo
- Rocky Colavito
- Tony Conigliaro
- Jason Conti
- Frank Crosetti
- Tony Cuccinello
- John D'Acquisto
- David Dellucci
- Chris Denorfia
- Sam Dente
- Mark DeRosa
- Matt DeSalvo
- Mark DiFelice
- Joe DiGangi - Yankees bullpen catcher
- Dom DiMaggio {born 1917), baseball player
- Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999), Baseball Hall of Fame Considered the greatest Italian-American athlete ever
- Vince DiMaggio (1912-1986), baseball player
- Lenny DiNardo (born 1979) pitcher for Kansas City Royals
- Gary DiSarcina
- Sal Fasano (born 1971)
- Tony Fiore (born 1971)
- Carl Furillo, baseball player
- John Franco, relief pitcher
- Terry Francona, manager
- Tito Francona, baseball player
- Jim Fregosi
- Mike Gallo (born 1977) pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for Houston Astros
- Gary Gaetti power-hitting third basemen
- Joe Garagiola, baseball player
- Jim Gentile
- Jason Giambi (born 1971)
- Jeremy Giambi (born 1974)
- Tony Giarratano (born 1982)
- Al Gionfriddo
- Joe Girardi
- Tony Graffanino
- Jason Grilli (born 1976), baseball pitcher who plays for the Detroit Tigers
- Tommy Lasorda
- Tony La Russa, born Anthony La Russa, Jr. (born 1944), manager in Major League Baseball.
- Cookie Lavagetto
- Tony Lazzeri
- Ernie Lombardi
- Paul Lo Duca (born 1972) catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Washington Nationals.
- Larry Lucchino, team president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox
- Sal Maglie, born Salvatore Anthony Maglie.
- Billy Martin, born Alfred Manuel Martin (1928-1989), baseball player and manager
- Lee Mazzilli
- Leo Mazzone
- Vin Mazzaro, pitcher for Oakland A's
- Frank Menechino (born 1971)
- Lou Merloni
- Lennie Merullo
- Matt Merullo
- Dan Miceli (born 1970), plays for Tampa Bay Rays
- Nick Mileti, owner and president of the Cleveland Indians from 1972 to 1975
- Doug Mirabelli (born 1970) catcher
- Rich Monteleone
- Mickey Morandini
- Don Mossi (born 1929)
- Chad Mottola
- Vince Naimoli, Former owner of the Tampa Bay Rays
- Mike Napoli, Catcher for the Los Angeles Angels
- John Orsino
- Val Pascucci (born 1978)
- Mike Pagliarulo
- Tom Pagnozzi
- Carl Pavano
- Joe Pepitone
- Lou Perini, owner of the Boston/Milwaukee Braves from 1945 to 1961
- Sam Perlozzo
- Rico Petrocelli
- Andy Pettitte - Part Italian and Part French.
- Mike Piazza (born 1968)
- Babe Pinelli
- Rick Porcello, Pitcher
- Nick Punto
- Vic Raschi
- Bill Renna, infielder
- J.P. Ricciardi (born 1959), General Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Dave Righetti
- Phil Rizzuto (1917-2007), born Fiero Francis Rizzuto.
- Johnny Romano
- Vinny Rottino
- Marius Russo
- Mark Saccomanno (born 1980)
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Texas Rangers catcher
- Ron Santo
- Dan Serafini
- Mike Scioscia
- Jason Simontacchi (born 1975) Currently pitcher for the St.Louis Cardinals
- Nick Swisher, born 1/25/1980, Italian on mother's side.
- Joe Torre- Manager of the LA Dodgers
- Bobby Valentine
- Ron Villone
- Frank Viola
- Barry Zito
- Pete Zoccolillo (born 1977)
[edit] Basketball - Geno Auriemma (b. 1954), hall of fame basketball coach
- Al Bianchi
- Daniel Biasone
- John Calipari
- P. J. Carlesimo
- Lou Carnesecca
- Ben Carnevale
- Al Cervi
- Bryan Colangelo
- Jerry Colangelo
- Mike D'Antoni (b. 1951), basketball coach
- Vinny Del Negro
- Ernie DiGregorio
- Al Ferrari
- Mike Fratello (b. 1947), basketball coach
- John Gianelli
- Tom Gugliotta
- Mike Iuzzolino
- Tom Izzo (b. 1955), basketball coach
- Rudy LaRusso
- Hank Luisetti, Stanford star who was first player to use a jump shot[citation needed]
- Rollie Massimino
- Bill Melchionni, (b. 1944), played 9 seasons in NBA and ABA (7 with the New York Nets)
- Franklin Mieuli, (b. 1920), owner of the Golden State Warriors from 1962-1985
- Nick Mileti, (b. 1931), former owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Dick Motta
- Togo Palazzi
- Rick Pitino (b. 1952), basketball coach
- Mason Rocca
- Brian Scalabrine
- Jim Valvano (1946-1993), basketball coach and sportscaster
- Dick Vitale (b. 1939), basketball coach and sportscaster
- Diana Taurasi
Andrea Bargnani,1st round pick of the Toronto Raptors [edit] Billiards players [edit] Bodybuilders [edit] Boxers - Lou Ambers (1913-1995), born Luigi d'Ambrosio, boxer.
- Sammy Angott (born 1915 as Samuel Engotti)
- Carmen Basilio
- Battling Battalino
- Tony Canzoneri (1908-1959) boxer[1]
- Primo Carnera, heavyweight boxing champion during the 1930s and later pro-wrestling champion.
- Frank Columbu, boxing champion and later bodybuilding champion.
- Cus D'Amato (1908-1985) boxing manager and trainer[2]
- Angelo Dundee (born 1923 as Angelo Merena), boxing trainer.
- Lou Duva (born 1922), boxing trainer.
- Arturo Gatti
- Tony Galento
- Frankie Genaro
- Joey Giardello (born 1930 as Carmine Orlando Tilelli), boxing star during the 1950s and 1960s.
- Rocky Graziano
- Pete Herman (1896-1973), born Peter Gulotta, one of the all time great bantamweight boxer world champions.
- Harry Jeffra (born 1914 as Ignazio Guiffo)
- Rocky Kansas (1895-1954), born Rocco Tozzo, boxer.
- Fidel La Barba
- Jake LaMotta, (born 1921), boxer.
- Vinny Maddalone
- Paulie Malignaggi
- Ray Mancini
- Rocky Marciano (1924-1969), boxer, only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated.
- Joey Maxim (1922-2001), born Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli, boxer, world light heavyweight champion.
- Willie Pastrano
- Vinny Paz (born 1962), multiple world champion, born as Vinny Pazienza.
- Willie Pep (brn 1922 as Gugliemo Papaleo)
- Mike Rossman (Italian father)
- Johnny Wilson (1893-1985), born Giovanni Panica, boxer.
- Young Corbett III, born Raffaele Capabianca Giordano (1905 - 1993), world welterweight boxing champion.
- Frankie Doyle,born Frank Dolcmascolo 1920, (1938-41)Diamond Gloves Bantamweight Champion one of 5 brothers known as the Fightin' Doyle brothers of Garfield, NJ
- Alex Doyle, born Alexander Dolcemascolo 1921, (1938-1948) top ten ranked Jr. Welterweight. NJ State champion, NJ Boxing Hallof Fame
- Midget Doyle, born Michaeli Dolcemascolo, 1917, (1935-1945)top ten ranked Bantamweight, NJ State Champion, NJ Boxing Hall of Fame.
[edit] Figure skaters - Pasquale "Pat" Abbruzzi
- Alan Ameche
- Marco Battaglia
- Mark Bavaro
- Joe Bellino
- Angelo Bertelli
- Stephen Bisciotti, NFL owner, Baltimore Ravens
- Tony Boselli
- Tedy Bruschi (Italian Father)
- Nick Buoniconti
- Dave Campo
- Gino Cappelletti
- John Cappelletti
- Marc Colombo
- Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr., NFL owner, San Francisco 49ers
- Denise DeBartolo York, NFL owner, San Francisco 49ers
- Jason Fabini
- Anthony Fasano
- Joe Flacco
- John Gagliardi
- Lu Gambino
- Franco Harris (Italian mother) best known for "Immaculate reception"
- Larry Izzo (Italian father) linebacker and special teams captain for the New England Patriots
- Lou Little
- Vince Lombardi, (1913-1970), legendary football coach.
- Mark Mangino
- Gino Marchetti
- Ed Marinaro
- Dan Marino (born 1961), Hall of Fame quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.
- Franklin Mieuli, NFL owner, minority owner of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Joe Montana (born 1956), widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.
- Tony Morabito, NFL owner, San Francisco 49ers
- Leo Nomellini
- Bill Parcells, football coach
- Vincent Papale
- Joe Paterno, legendary football coach for Penn State.
- Bo Pelini, Nebraska Cornhuskers coach
- Nick Pietrosante
- Brian Piccolo
- Sabby Piscitelli
- Joe Scarpati
- Greg Schiano
- Paul Tagliabue, former NFL commissioner
- Vinny Testaverde
- Dick Vermeil, football coach
- Adam Vinatieri, football kicker for Indianapolis
[edit] Golfers [edit] Gymnastics [edit] Horse racers [edit] Ice hockey players [edit] Ice hockey owners [edit] Martial arts [edit] Race car drivers [edit] Skiing - Julia Mancuso (born 1984) alpine skier; won a gold medal in the Giant Slalom race at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
[edit] Soccer - Bruce Arena, former head football coach for the United States men's national soccer team.
- Carmelo D'Anzi, played professional soccer in Italy, Mexico and U.S.A.; won 7 championships and 5 leading scoring titles during his career.
- Frank Borghi, played for the U.S. national team in the 1950 World Cup.
- Paul Caligiuri, played for the U.S. national team in the 1994 World Cup.
- Charlie Colombo, played for the U.S. national team in the 1950 World Cup.
- Robert Contiguglia, former President of the United States Soccer Federation.
- Aldo Donelli,
- Gabriel Ferrari, striker prospect for Italian club, Sampdoria. Has stated intention to play on American national teams.
- Armando Frigo, American-born player in Serie A.
- Patrick Ianni (born 1985) soccer defensive midfielder, plays for Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer[3]
- Pablo Mastroeni, born in Argentina of Italian descent.
- Tony Meola, starting goalkeeper for the U.S. national team during the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.
- Gino Pariani, played for the U.S. national team in the 1950 World Cup.
- Giuseppe Rossi, born in the United States to Italian immigrant parents, he also holds citizenship from Italy and plays for Italian national teams.
- Sal Zizzo, Hannover 96 winger playing for American national teams.
[edit] Swimmers [edit] Tennis players [edit] Wrestlers - John Cena
- Hulk Hogan (On father's side. Birth name is Terry Bollea)
- Lou Albano
- Ashley Massaro, former WWE Diva.
- Primo Carnera
- Sal Graziano, former ECW wrestler
- Steve Lombardi
- Joey Marella was a professional wrestling referee. He was the son of legendary wrestler Gorilla Monsoon.
- Gorilla Monsoon, born Robert Otto Marella.
- Lisa Moretti (born 1961 as Lisa Mary Moretti), best known by her stage name of Ivory, professional wrestler.
- Chuck Palumbo, born Charles Ronald Palumbo, professional wrestler.
- Angelo Poffo
- Lanny Poffo, known as "Leaping Lanny" or "The Genius", son of Angelo Poffo, brother to Randy Savage.
- Mark Copani, half-Italian, half-Arab wrestler best known for his Muhammad Hassan character in WWE.
- Paul Roma
- Eve Torres, current WWE Diva
- Romeo Roselli
- Mike Rotundo best known as "Irwin R Schyster", wrestled with the WWF from 1991 to 2004.
- Bruno Sammartino (born 1936 as Bruno Leopoldo Franceso Sammartino), former professional wrestler.
- Peter Senerca former professional wrestler also known as Tazz.
- Nunzio, born James Maritato, professional wrestler.
- "Macho Man" Randy Savage, born Randy Poffo.
- Santino Marella, born Anthony Carelli, current WWE wrestler under Raw Brand.
- Vito LoGrasso, professional wrestler.
- Lenny Montana(1926-1992), former professional wrestler known as "The Zebra Kid" and "Chief Chewacki" in the 1960's
[edit] See also - ^ [1] "Italian American boxer Tony Canzoneri"
- ^ [2] "'Cus' D'Amato (an eccentric Italian/American..."
- ^ [3] "ITALIAN IANNI: U.S. defender Patrick Ianni told reporters that this game will be interesting for him as he has a 75 percent Italian background. His grandparents are from Milan and Turin and he grew up an Italian soccer fan, cheering for AC Milan. "When I found out we were playing Italy I thought it was cool because of my background. It will be interesting, but the truth is it doesn’t really matter who we play really at this point. We just want to win."
[edit] External links |
