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Leonard Edward DiNardo (born September 19, 1979 in Miami, Florida) is a retired professional baseball pitcher.
Professional career[]
New York Mets[]
In 1998, the Boston Red Sox selected DiNardo in the 10th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft, but he did not sign, opting to attend Stetson University instead.[1] Three years later, he would sign with the New York Mets when they selected him in the 3rd round.[2] In the summer of 2001, DiNardo made his professional debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Mets Single-A affiliate.[3]
In 2002, he played for the Columbia Mets in the South Atlantic League, another Single-A farm team of the Mets.
Boston Red Sox[]
In 2003, he split time between St. Lucie (Single-A) and Binghamton (Double-A). He pitched well enough to warrant being selected by the Boston Red Sox during the Rule V Draft on December 15.[4]
As is the requirement with Rule 5 selections, DiNardo would remain on the Red Sox major league roster during the entire 2004 season. He began the season on the disabled list and made his major league debut on April 23 against the New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium.[5] DiNardo spent much of the second half of the season back on the disabled list. Nevertheless, the lanky left-hander received a World Series ring for his contributions to the 2004 World Series Champion Red Sox.[6]
Having satisfied the requirement of keeping DiNardo on the major league roster, the Red Sox sent the pitcher to Triple-A Pawtucket to start the 2005 season. He was recalled to the major league club five different times during the year.
In 2006, DiNardo made six starts in place of the injured David Wells. However, he spent a lot of time on the disabled list himself, due to a neck injury. DiNardo played for Italy at 2006 World Baseball Classic.
To prepare for the 2007 MLB season, DiNardo played for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.
Oakland Athletics[]
On February 14, 2007, the Oakland Athletics claimed DiNardo off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. DiNardo finished the season having made 20 starts, with an 8-10 record and an ERA of 4.11.[7]
Kansas City Royals[]
He signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals on December 17, 2008. DiNardo again represented Italy at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Second stint with the Athletics[]
On January 8, 2010, DiNardo, signed a minor league contract to return to the Oakland Athletics the deal includes an invite to spring training.[8]
Second stint with the Red Sox[]
On December 15, 2010, DiNardo, signed a minor league contract to return to the Boston Red Sox.However on April 1, 2011 he was released.
Long Island Ducks[]
On April 14, 2011, DiNardo signed with the Long Island Ducks.[9]
Third stint with the Athletics[]
DiNardo signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics on May 21, 2011.[10]
References[]
- ↑ "Though winged by injuries, Angels still aloft." Boston. 24 July 2007. <http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2004/05/16/though_winged_by_injuries_angels_still_aloft/?page=2>.
- ↑ "Lenny DiNardo." Baseball-Reference. 24 July 2007. 25 July 2007 <http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dinarle01.shtml>.
- ↑ "Lenny DiNardo." Baseball Cube. 24 July 2007. 25 July 2007 <http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/D/lenny-dinardo.shtml>.
- ↑ "Lenny DiNardo." Baseball-Reference. 24 July 2007. 25 July 2007 <http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dinarle01.shtml>.
- ↑ "Though winged by injuries, Angels still aloft." Boston. 24 July 2007. <http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2004/05/16/though_winged_by_injuries_angels_still_aloft/?page=2>.
- ↑ "Lenny DiNardo." Baseball-Reference. 24 July 2007. <http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Lenny_DiNardo>.
- ↑ "Lenny DiNardo." Sportsline. 24 July 2007. 25 July 2007 <http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/451805>.
- ↑ http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/athletics/detail?blogid=21&entry_id=54921
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Athletics Sign Lenny DiNardo, MLBTradeRumors.com, May 21, 2011.
External links[]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball-Reference, or The Baseball Cube