Leo Righetti

Leo Charles Righetti (March 4, 1925 – February 19, 1998) was an American professional baseball player. He played in minor league baseball from 1944 through 1957. His son, Dave Righetti, played in Major League Baseball.

Leo Righetti
Pitcher / Shortstop
Born: (1925-03-04)March 4, 1925
San Francisco, California
Died: February 19, 1998(1998-02-19) (aged 72)
San Jose, California
Batted: Right
Threw: Right

Early life

Righetti grew up in San Jose, California. His father, Marco, immigrated to the United States from Italy.[1]

Righetti drew notice in his amateur baseball career,[2][3] as he started in baseball by playing sandlot ball. He played his first organized baseball with the local Catholic Youth Organization, and then played for the baseball team at Bellarmine College Preparatory.[4]

Professional career

Righetti drew interest from Joe Devine, a scout for the New York Yankees.[2] He was an excellent fielding shortstop, though not a skilled batter. However, it was thought that his skill as a pitcher could lead him to a career in Major League Baseball.[5] Righetti signed a $10,000 contract with the Yankees in 1944.[1] The Yankees assigned him to the Newark Bears of the International League.[6]

In 1946, he slipped and fell, cutting his right index finger in the process, which ended his pitching career. He remained in the Yankees organization as a shortstop until 1950, when he quit his team.[1] Righetti worked out for the Milwaukee Braves in spring training of 1952,[7] but did not make the team. When the Braves informed Righetti that they wanted to send him to Class AAA, Righetti became angry, and launched a chair at a Braves team official, costing himself a chance of playing for the Braves later in the season.[lower-alpha 1] The Braves released Righetti to return to play in the Pacific Coast League (PCL).[9] He played in the PCL for six more seasons before he retired.[1]

Personal

After retiring from baseball, Righetti went to work for his father's tallow business in San Jose.[1]

Righetti had two sons, whom he taught to play baseball. His older son, Steve, played in minor league baseball, while his younger son, Dave, reached Major League Baseball with the Yankees.[1] Righetti died at the age of 72 on February 20, 1998.[2]

Notes
  1. Sources conflict on whether he kicked a chair at general manager Charles Quinn[1] or threw a chair at manager Tommy Holmes.[8]

References
  1. Lieber, Jill (April 16, 1990). "The Relief Is Not So Sweet: To Be A New York Yankee Was Dave Righetti's Dream, But Life As A Pinstriped Reliever Has Been Harsh". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  2. "Leo Righetti, 70, Ballplayer's Dad Natural Athlete's Son Pitched In Majors". San Jose Mercury News. February 20, 1998. p. 5B. Retrieved November 27, 2012. (subscription required)
  3. "Leo Righetti Displays Mound Form". San Jose News. May 27, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  4. "Yanks Will Farm Him: Righetti To Play With Newark Or Kansas City". San Jose News. May 23, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  5. Mathis, Wes (March 23, 1944). "Sports Reel: Leo Righetti Is Classy Fielder..." San Jose Evening News. p. 18. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  6. "Sunday Ball: Martinez To Replace Leo Righetti". San Jose News. June 17, 1944. p. 3. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  7. "Righetti Catches Eye of Braves' Manager". The Milwaukee Journal. United Press International. February 25, 1952. p. 2. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  8. Gammons, Peter (February 13, 1983). "Dave Righetti hopes to be back on course". Reading Eagle. Boston Globe. p. 84. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  9. "Righetti to Coast". The Milwaukee Journal. April 14, 1952. p. 4. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
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