Mike DiFelice
Encyclopedia
Michael William DiFelice (icon; 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 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, , 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.
Over the first two seasons he spent with the Mets, (2005 and 2006), his batting averages were very bad, in 2005, he had a batting average of .118, (2-17), in 2006 he had only an .080 batting average, (2-25). However, in 2007, his final year with the Mets, his batting average improved to .250, (10-40). Even with that, the Mets still declined to offer salary arbitration to DiFelice.
On January 6, , 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.
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. Another fact about DiFelice is that he was included on the Rays 40-man roster in the baseball video game MLB 09 The Show, even though he had retired in September of 2008, and when the game was released, he was the manager the Kingsport Mets!
On February 5, , DiFelice was named the manager of the Rookie-level Kingsport Mets in the New York Mets organization.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
) is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
journeyman catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
and is currently the manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the Rookie-level Kingsport Mets
Kingsport Mets
The Kingsport Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Kingsport, Tennessee, United States. The team, which plays in the Appalachian League, is a Rookie League affiliate of Major League Baseball's New York Mets....
in the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
organization. He is a graduate from the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in the 11th round of the amateur draft. He made his major league debut in with the Cards
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
DiFelice was chosen by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
with the 20th selection of the 1997 MLB Expansion Draft
1997 MLB Expansion Draft
The 1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft was conducted by Major League Baseball on November 18, 1997 in the Phoenix Civic Center to stock the major league rosters of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks, new major league expansion franchises that were set to start play in the...
. On July 25, , he was traded with Albie Lopez
Albie Lopez
Albert Anthony "Albie" Lopez is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He graduated from Mesa Community College. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 20th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft. Lopez was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the second round of the expansion...
to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
for Jason Conti
Jason Conti
Stanley Jason Conti is a former outfielder in Major League baseball. He spent five years in the major leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers....
and Nick Bierbrodt
Nick Bierbrodt
Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers. After playing for the Brother Elephants of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in , he returned to the United States the next year, joining the Long Beach Armada of the independent Golden Baseball League....
. 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
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, was sent to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
as part of a conditional deal, then signed with the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, New York Mets, Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, and again with the Mets.
Over the first two seasons he spent with the Mets, (2005 and 2006), his batting averages were very bad, in 2005, he had a batting average of .118, (2-17), in 2006 he had only an .080 batting average, (2-25). However, in 2007, his final year with the Mets, his batting average improved to .250, (10-40). Even with that, the Mets still declined to offer salary arbitration to DiFelice.
On January 6, , he signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
. 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.
DiFelice's at-bat song was "Daydream" by Lovin' Spoonful. He and Dan Wheeler
Dan Wheeler
Daniel Michael Wheeler is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:...
are the only Tampa Bay players to suit up in all three of the franchise's uniforms. Since his retirement, Miguel Cairo
Miguel Cairo
Miguel Jesús Cairo is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently with the Cincinnati Reds. He has mostly played second base during his career, but has played every position in baseball except catcher and pitcher. He currently plays mostly third base, in place of Scott Rolen during his...
is now the sole remaining active player from the 1998 Rays Opening Day roster. Another fact about DiFelice is that he was included on the Rays 40-man roster in the baseball video game MLB 09 The Show, even though he had retired in September of 2008, and when the game was released, he was the manager the Kingsport Mets!
On February 5, , DiFelice was named the manager of the Rookie-level Kingsport Mets in the New York Mets organization.