Tony Graffanino

Anthony Joseph (Tony) Graffanino (born June 6, 1972 in Amityville, New York) is an infielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Boston Red Sox. He graduated in 1990 from East Islip (N.Y.) High School and was drafted in the 10th round of the 1990 MLB draft by the Atlanta Braves, with whom he played from 1996-98. In addition to the Red Sox and the Braves, Graffanino has played with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1999-2000), Chicago White Sox (2000-03) and Kansas City Royals (2004-05). He bats and throws right-handed.

Related Topics:
June 6 - 1972 - Amityville, New York - Infielder - Major League Baseball - Boston Red Sox - 1990 - East Islip - N.Y. - Atlanta Braves - 1996 - 98 - Tampa Bay Devil Rays - 1999 - 2000 - Chicago White Sox - 03 - Kansas City Royals - 2004 - 05 - Right-handed

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In a nine-season career, Graffanino is a .259 hitter with 35 home runs and 175 RBI in 649 games.

Related Topics:
Hitter - Home run - RBI - Games

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Graffanino is primarily a contact hitter (just 318 strikeouts in 1721 big-league at-bats before this season) who is able to get on base (career .330 OBP) ? and his speed is above average, with 41 stolen bases in 59 attempts. He excels as a situational hitter, being capable of hitting behind the runner and dropping down a bunt. As a fielder, he has the hability to play every infield position and left field. He has an above-average arm, which helps him in the LF and on the left side of the infield.

Related Topics:
Strikeout - At-bats - OBP - Stolen base - Bunt - Left field

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After spending three years with the Braves, 2 1?2 seasons with Tampa Bay and another 3 1?2 with the White Sox, Graffanino played only second base for Kansas City in 2004, but he has moved around more in 2005. Obtained by the Boston Red Sox after the All-Star Game, he will start at second base following the cut of Mark Bellhorn.

Related Topics:
Second base - All-Star Game - Mark Bellhorn

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At the time of the deal, Graffanino was batting .298 with three homers and 18 RBI playing part-time for the Royals. With his versatility, though, he never has to worry about finding a roster spot. From 1996 through this season, he's been with five organizations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Graffanino made a critical error in Game 2 of 2005 ALDS. Leading 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth with one out, man on first, Juan Uribe at the plate, he takes his eye off of a slow grounder, thus allowing a easy inning ending double play ball go through his legs. Two batters later, Tadaito Iguchi hits a 3-run HR, to put the White Sox in the lead for good 5-4 to take a 2-0 lead in the ALDS. Comparasions between this incident and that of Bill Buckner have been made. However, the lower-stakes nature of the game have led most Red Sox fans to forgive Graffanino, and applaud him at the start of game 3.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He has been very active in the community during his career. in 2002, he coordinated and led baseball clinics for boys and girls from Mercy Home at U.S. Cellular Field and signed autographs at the James R. Thompson Center to promote the need for organ donors.

Related Topics:
2002 - U.S. Cellular Field - James R. Thompson Center

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~