Michael William DiFelice (pronounced /ˌdiːfɨˈliːs/) (born May 28, 1969 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former Major League Baseball journeyman catcher and is currently the manager of the Rookie-level Kingsport Mets in the New York Mets organization. He is a graduate from the University of Tennessee, and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 11th round of the amateur draft. He made his major league debut in 1996 with the Cards.
DiFelice was chosen by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with the 20th selection of the 1997 MLB Expansion Draft. On July 25, 2001, he was traded with Albie Lopez to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Jason Conti and Nick Bierbrodt. He was released by the Diamondbacks on September 4, and since then has signed as a free agent to play with the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, was sent to the Chicago Cubs as part of a conditional deal, then signed with the Florida Marlins, New York Mets, Washington Nationals, and again with the Mets.
On January 6, 2008, he signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. He saw his last action at the major league level in April of that season, appearing in seven games. At his request, he was released in early September and retired.[1]
DiFelice's at-bat song was "Daydream" by Lovin' Spoonful. He and Dan Wheeler are the only Tampa Bay players to suit up in all three of the franchise's uniforms. Since his retirement, Miguel Cairo is now the sole remaining active player from the 1998 Rays Opening Day roster.
On February 5, 2009, DiFelice was named the manager of the Rookie-level Kingsport Mets in the New York Mets organization.[2]
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