Tony Tarasco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tony Tarasco |
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Tarasco at spring training in March 2015
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| Outfielder / Coach | |||
| Born: December 9, 1970 New York City, U.S. |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: April 30, 1993, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| NPB: March 31, 2000, for the Hanshin Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| MLB: September 1, 2002, for the New York Mets | |||
| NPB: October 6, 2000, for the Hanshin Tigers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .240 | ||
| Home runs | 34 | ||
| Runs batted in | 118 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .239 | ||
| Home runs | 19 | ||
| Runs batted in | 57 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As coach
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Anthony Giacinto Tarasco (born December 9, 1970) is an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). An outfielder is a player who fields in the outfield, the area of the baseball field farthest from home plate.
Tarasco played for several teams. These include the Atlanta Braves, Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Yankees. He played in MLB from 1993 to 1999, and again in 2002. He also played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan in 2000.
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Early Life and Baseball Dreams
Tony Tarasco was born in New York City on December 9, 1970. He lived in different parts of New York, like Washington Heights and the Bronx, when he was very young. His father, Jack, worked at Yankee Stadium during the summer.
When Tony was 13, his family moved to Santa Monica, California. During his teenage years, Tony faced some difficult choices. However, at 16, he decided to focus completely on playing high school baseball. This choice helped him pursue his dream.
Tony's talent for baseball was noticed. The Atlanta Braves picked him in the 15th round of the 1988 Major League Baseball draft. This happened after he graduated from Santa Monica High School.
Tony Tarasco's Professional Baseball Career
Tony Tarasco began his professional baseball journey with the Atlanta Braves. He made his first appearance in a major league game in 1993. This was a big step for him.
Playing for the Expos
In 1995, the Braves traded Tarasco to the Montreal Expos. A trade in baseball means players are exchanged between teams. He became the starting right fielder for the Expos. A right fielder plays in the outfield, usually on the right side from the catcher's view.
During the 1995 season, Tony had a good year. He hit 14 home runs and had 40 runs batted in (RBI). A home run is when a batter hits the ball out of the park, allowing them to run all bases and score. RBI means he helped his teammates score runs. He also stole 24 stolen bases. A stolen base is when a runner advances to the next base while the pitcher is throwing the ball.
Time with the Baltimore Orioles
Before the 1996 season, the Baltimore Orioles got Tarasco from the Expos. The Orioles needed a left-handed hitter for their team.
Tony was involved in a famous play during the 1996 American League Championship Series. This was a very important playoff series. While playing right field for the Orioles, he tried to catch a fly ball hit by Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees. A fly ball is a ball hit high in the air.
A 12-year-old fan named Jeffrey Maier reached over the fence. He touched the ball, which changed its path into the stands. The umpires decided it was a home run. However, many people thought it should have been called fan interference. Fan interference means a fan illegally touches a ball in play. This play was a big moment in the series, which the Yankees eventually won.
After his time with the Orioles, Tarasco played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1998. He spent the rest of his playing career as a part-time player. This means he played in some games but not every game. He often moved between the major leagues and minor leagues. Tony Tarasco and Derek Jeter even played together for a short time in 1999.
Tony Tarasco's Coaching Career
After his playing days, Tony Tarasco became a baseball coach. He has coached at different levels of the sport.
Coaching in Major League Baseball
Tarasco started working for the Washington Nationals in 2006. For some time, he helped coordinate players in the minor leagues. Minor leagues are professional baseball leagues below the major leagues.
In 2012, the Nationals announced Tony would join their main coaching staff. He became the first base coach and outfield coach for the 2013 season. A first base coach stands near first base to help guide runners. He stayed with the Nationals until the end of the 2015 season.
In 2020, Tony Tarasco was hired by the New York Mets. He became their first base coach, a role he held in 2021.
Coaching High School and College Teams
Tony also shared his baseball knowledge with younger players. From 2022 to 2023, he was the varsity baseball coach for Great Oak High School in California.
In September 2023, Tarasco joined San Diego State University. He became an assistant coach for their baseball team, the San Diego State Aztecs.
Images for kids
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Tarasco at spring training in March 2015
