Tony Lazzeri

Early Life and Passion for Baseball

Tony Lazzeri was a professional baseball player who had a successful career in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1926 to 1939. He played as a second baseman and was known for his strong hitting skills and ability to perform under pressure. Additionally, Lazzeri was one of the first Italian-American players to achieve stardom in the MLB.

Record-Breaking Performance in the Pacific Coast League

Born in San Francisco, California, Lazzeri came from an Italian immigrant family. He developed a passion for baseball at a young age and joined the Salt Lake City Bees of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) in 1922. In 1925, he had an outstanding season with 60 home runs and a batting average of .355, thereby setting a PCL record that remains unbroken even today. As a result of his impressive performance, he was bought by the New York Yankees for $50,000 and made his debut in Major League Baseball in 1926.

Success with the New York Yankees

Lazzeri quickly became an integral part of the famous “Murderers’ Row” lineup for the Yankees alongside legendary players such as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. His contributions helped lead his team to six American League pennants and five World Series championships during his time with them. One notable achievement was when he became the first player ever to hit two grand slams in one game against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1936.

Overcoming Challenges with Epilepsy

Unfortunately, Tony Lazzeri faced challenges due to epilepsy throughout his career, which resulted in seizures causing him to miss games periodically. In addition to this condition, he also struggled with chronic headaches and sleeplessness, which further impacted his playing abilities. Despite these issues, Lazzeri continued to deliver standout performances on the field.

Retirement and Legacy

He retired from baseball in 1939 after playing for the Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Giants. Over the course of his career, he accumulated a .292 batting average, hit 178 home runs, and had 1,194 RBIs. He then became a minor league manager and coach until his death in 1946.