Samuel Aldegheri, an Italian makes MLB baseball history
The words of Samuel Aldegheri
Samuel Aldegheri writes Italian baseball history, becoming the first pitcher raised in Italy to make his MLB debut. In his debut in the top professional league è he was defeated by Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners after pitching 5 rounds The Veronese pitcher è became the first pitcher born and raised athletically in Italy to debut in Major League Baseball. The historic event è occurred in front of a warm Anaheim crowd in the game between Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners, won by the latter 9-5 on Friday night in California.
The Verona-based pitcher, who will turn 23 next Sept. 19, completed 5 innings in his first appearance in baseball’s top American and world championships, allowing 6 hits, 7 runs – 2 of which were earned – 2 bases on balls and 2 hit batters. He got three total strikeouts, including one against Seattle talent Julio Rodriguez – later starring in a home run against him in the fourth inning-which ended a complicated first inning.
In fact, Aldegheri got two outs on the first three batters he faced, but a double by Randy Arozarena kept the first inning alive, then the defense did not help him and a strained line drive at the glove height of Jorge Polanco was not checked by shortstop Zach Neto, thus allowing the entry of two runs for the Mariners. After striking out two batters in a row, the Italian starter allowed a double to Mitch Garver and a single to Victor Robles with a total of 5 runs on the grounder, a margin the Mariners would administer to the finish line.
However, Aldegheri è was adept at not giving up and seizing the opportunity of his first start. After breaking the ice, the left-handed pitcher struck out seven consecutive batters, showcasing as many as four different types of pitches (fastballs averaging 93 miles/150 kilometers per hour with 94-mile peaks, slider, curve and changeup) and forcing opposing batters into weak and ineffective strikes. However, the Mariners showed good eyes on the opposing pitcher’s fastball, which increased the use and confidence of its secondary pitches over the course of the game. In the fourth inning, a valid hit by Robles and a home run by Julio Rodriguez brought Seattle back to score and were the first and only two earned runs on Aldegheri, who struggled and got through the fourth and fifth innings, suffering a single from veteran former Dodgers Justin Turner, but finding strength and courage to strike out the next three batters to end his night after five innings pitched after 79 pitches (50 strikes, 29 balls).
"The first inning è was difficult, but I think I reacted well and I am happy with how it went overall" commented Samuel Aldegheri to reporters in the post-game. "As first time I was nervous, after the two points suffered the pitching coach è came to the mound and told me to try to relax and be myself and keep working. I am happy with how I reacted but I know I still have to work a lot on that. The last 24 hours have been crazy and I still have to realize what is happening. My family took the first possible flight and I was able to say goodbye to them at the end of the game and è it was a great emotion. Until two months ago I was in High-A, a month ago I was with another organization and today I am here and è incredible. I am proud for me, for my family and for all the young kids in Italy who may think it is impossible to make it this far, but instead everyone can make it by believing and pursuing their dreams. So many people have written and supported me in these hours and I thank everyone" concluded Samuel.
