George Cappuzzello
Encyclopedia
George Angelo Cappuzzello (born on January 15, 1954) is a former American
baseball
player who pitched
for the Detroit Tigers
and Houston Astros
. He played with two different teams over two seasons and ended his playing career in 1982.
, and attended Youngstown State University
. He completed his studies at Florida State University
, where he played baseball. Cappuzzello was drafted by the Detroit Tigers
in the 27th round of the 1972 amateur draft
.
Cappuzzello spent a good number of years in the farm system before he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
on March 6, , along with John Valle, in exchange for Reds pitcher Jack Billingham
. Just two years later, Cappuzzello was released by the Reds and subsequently picked up by his former team, the Detroit Tigers
. After sparkling in Triple-A ball that season, Cappuzzello was called up to the big leagues.
. Cappuzzello did not fare well, giving up three earned runs and walking three batters in just an inning of work. Nonetheless, Cappuzzello stayed with the team for the remainder of the season, starting in three games and coming in relief during 15 others. He posted a 3.48 ERA
and went 1-1 in the season.
. With the Astros, Cappuzzello worked in relief and pitched brilliantly in 19.3 innings of work, giving up 16 hits, and striking out 13 while posting a 2.79 ERA
. This high point, however, turned out to be George Cappuzzello's final performance as a major league pitcher. His professional baseball career came to an unexpected end.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player who pitched
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the 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...
and Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. He played with two different teams over two seasons and ended his playing career in 1982.
Early years
Cappuzzello was born in Girard, OhioGirard, Ohio
Girard is a city in Trumbull County, Ohio, United States. The population was 10,902 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Youngstown–Warren–Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Girard is located at ....
, and attended Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
. He completed his studies at Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, where he played baseball. Cappuzzello was drafted by the 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...
in the 27th round of the 1972 amateur draft
1972 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then...
.
Cappuzzello spent a good number of years in the farm system before he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
on March 6, , along with John Valle, in exchange for Reds pitcher Jack Billingham
Jack Billingham
John Eugene Billingham is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Houston Astros , Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox...
. Just two years later, Cappuzzello was released by the Reds and subsequently picked up by his former team, the 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...
. After sparkling in Triple-A ball that season, Cappuzzello was called up to the big leagues.
Major League debut
Cappuzzello made his debut with the Tigers on May 31, against the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. Cappuzzello did not fare well, giving up three earned runs and walking three batters in just an inning of work. Nonetheless, Cappuzzello stayed with the team for the remainder of the season, starting in three games and coming in relief during 15 others. He posted a 3.48 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and went 1-1 in the season.
Later career
Before the start of the 1982 season, Cappuzzello was released by the Tigers and picked up a week later by the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. With the Astros, Cappuzzello worked in relief and pitched brilliantly in 19.3 innings of work, giving up 16 hits, and striking out 13 while posting a 2.79 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. This high point, however, turned out to be George Cappuzzello's final performance as a major league pitcher. His professional baseball career came to an unexpected end.