Mark Loretta
Encyclopedia
Mark David Loretta is a retired Major League Baseball
infielder
. Loretta played for the Milwaukee Brewers
(-), Houston Astros
, San Diego Padres
(-), Boston Red Sox
and Los Angeles Dodgers
. He batted and threw right-handed.
out of Northwestern University
, Loretta made his professional debut with the Helena Brewers
in 1993. He subsequently played with the Stockton Ports
, El Paso Diablos
and New Orleans Zephyrs
. He was selected to the American Association
All-star team during the 1995 season.
and recorded his first hit on September 10 against the Texas Rangers
. He remained on the Brewers every day roster as a utility player through 2002.
On June 20, , during an 11–3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds
, Loretta took the mound to pitch a scoreless eighth inning. Brewers manager
Davey Lopes
asked the team for a volunteer to pitch an inning in hopes of saving the depleted bullpen
, and Loretta volunteered. He had not pitched since college. Loretta faced five batters, gave up one hit and one walk
and got two strikeout
s on 19 pitches. He was the first everyday player to pitch for the Brewers since .
Loretta was traded to the Houston Astros
during the 2002 season for Keith Ginter
and Wayne Franklin
, and played in 21 games as a reserve before filing for free agency.
.335 with 47 doubles
, 16 home run
s, 76 RBI
, 108 runs
scored, and 208 hits
– all career bests, and good enough to earn him a spot on the National League All-Star
team. His .335 average ranked him third in the National League
batting race behind Barry Bonds
(.362) and Todd Helton
(.347), and he also joined Tony Gwynn
as the only San Diego players to have 200 hits in a regular season. He was voted Padres team MVP in 2003 and 2004.
In 2005, Loretta hit .280 with three home runs and 38 RBI in 105 games with the Padres, after he had surgery to repair a strained ligament in his left thumb.
During the 2006 offseason, Loretta was traded to the Boston Red Sox
in exchange for catcher
Doug Mirabelli
.
In 2006, Loretta hit .285 with five home runs and 59 RBI in 155 games with the Red Sox. Loretta was awarded a start at second base for the American League
in the 2006 MLB All-Star Game. Due to various injuries to teammates, Loretta also filled in at first base and as the designated hitter
at various points during the season. He hit his first career walk-off home run
on April 17, 2006, against the Seattle Mariners
on Patriots' Day
at Fenway Park
.
On January 4, , Loretta signed with the Houston Astros on a one-year contract to serve a utility role. On June 29, 2007, with 2 outs and behind one run, the Colorado Rockies
intentionally walked Carlos Lee
who had hit a walk-off grand slam the night before. Loretta then hit a 2-run homer for another walk-off home run the second night in a row.
for reported $1.25 million.
On October 8, 2009, Mark Loretta hit a walk-off single to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals
3 to 2 in game two of the National League Division Series
. The score was tied and the bases were loaded with two outs when he stroked a line drive off Cardinal reliever Ryan Franklin
to center fielder Colby Rasmus
. Until this game winning single Mark Loretta had been hitless in his career against Franklin. His single completed a come from behind victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers
who trailed the Cardinals 2 to 1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Loretta said, “That’s the biggest hit of my career.” This sudden victory enabled the Dodgers to take a two games to none lead in the division series. They would go on to win the series 3-0.
in La Cañada, California
, and he was a classmate of Gregg Zaun
. Loretta has a wife named Hilary, son named Frankie, and daughter named Lucy. His parents are David and Ellen Loretta, and he has a brother Chris and a sister Kelly. Loretta is also a member of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta
, commonly known as FIJI (Northwestern University
, 1993).
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...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
. Loretta played for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(-), 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...
, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(-), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. He batted and threw right-handed.
Minor leagues
Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft1993 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*Scott Rolen was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1993 amateur draft....
out of Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, Loretta made his professional debut with the Helena Brewers
Helena Brewers
The Helena Brewers are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League and are the Advanced Rookie League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Helena, Montana...
in 1993. He subsequently played with the Stockton Ports
Stockton Ports
The Stockton Ports are a baseball team in Stockton, California. The Ports play in the Northern Division of the Class A – Advanced California League and are a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Their home field is Banner Island Ballpark which seats over 5,000 people and opened in...
, El Paso Diablos
El Paso Diablos
The El Paso Diablos are a professional baseball team based in El Paso, Texas, in the United States. The Diablos are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2005 season to the...
and New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
. He was selected to the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
All-star team during the 1995 season.
Milwaukee Brewers
Loretta made his Major League debut on September 4, 1995 for the Brewers against the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and recorded his first hit on September 10 against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. He remained on the Brewers every day roster as a utility player through 2002.
On June 20, , during an 11–3 loss 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....
, Loretta took the mound to pitch a scoreless eighth inning. Brewers 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...
Davey Lopes
Davey Lopes
David Earle Lopes is a former second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He batted and threw right-handed. He is currently the first base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.He is of Cape Verdean descent.-Playing:...
asked the team for a volunteer to pitch an inning in hopes of saving the depleted bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
, and Loretta volunteered. He had not pitched since college. Loretta faced five batters, gave up one hit and one walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
and got two strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s on 19 pitches. He was the first everyday player to pitch for the Brewers since .
Loretta was traded to the 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...
during the 2002 season for Keith Ginter
Keith Ginter
Milwaukee Brewers 2011Keith Michael Ginter is a former American Major League Baseball infielder now playing for the Orange County Flyers in the independent Golden Baseball League. Ginter is a graduate of Fullerton High School in Fullerton, California...
and Wayne Franklin
Wayne Franklin
Gary Wayne Franklin is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the independent Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League. He previously played for the Houston Astros , Milwaukee Brewers , San Francisco Giants , New York Yankees , and Atlanta Braves...
, and played in 21 games as a reserve before filing for free agency.
San Diego Padres
He signed with the San Diego Padres in 2003. His most productive season came in for the Padres, when he battedBatting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.335 with 47 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 16 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 76 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, 108 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
scored, and 208 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
– all career bests, and good enough to earn him a spot on the National League All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team. His .335 average ranked him third in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
batting race behind Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
(.362) and Todd Helton
Todd Helton
Todd Lynn Helton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Colorado Rockies. He is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, four-time National League Player of the Month, and three-time Gold Glove winner....
(.347), and he also joined Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr. , nicknamed Mr. Padre and Captain Video, is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the San Diego Padres...
as the only San Diego players to have 200 hits in a regular season. He was voted Padres team MVP in 2003 and 2004.
In 2005, Loretta hit .280 with three home runs and 38 RBI in 105 games with the Padres, after he had surgery to repair a strained ligament in his left thumb.
Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in exchange for 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...
Doug Mirabelli
Doug Mirabelli
Douglas Anthony Mirabelli is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played for the San Francisco Giants , Texas Rangers , Boston Red Sox , and San Diego Padres before returning to the Red Sox to end his eleven year career...
.
In 2006, Loretta hit .285 with five home runs and 59 RBI in 155 games with the Red Sox. Loretta was awarded a start at second base for the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in the 2006 MLB All-Star Game. Due to various injuries to teammates, Loretta also filled in at first base and as the designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
at various points during the season. He hit his first career walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
on April 17, 2006, against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
on Patriots' Day
Patriots' Day
Patriots' Day is a civic holiday commemorating the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War...
at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
.
Houston Astros
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
intentionally walked Carlos Lee
Carlos Lee
Carlos Noriel Lee is a first basemen in Major League Baseball who plays for the Houston Astros. He bats and throws right-handed....
who had hit a walk-off grand slam the night before. Loretta then hit a 2-run homer for another walk-off home run the second night in a row.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On December 10, 2008, Loretta signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for reported $1.25 million.
On October 8, 2009, Mark Loretta hit a walk-off single to defeat 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...
3 to 2 in game two of the National League Division Series
National League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series...
. The score was tied and the bases were loaded with two outs when he stroked a line drive off Cardinal reliever Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
to center fielder Colby Rasmus
Colby Rasmus
Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:...
. Until this game winning single Mark Loretta had been hitless in his career against Franklin. His single completed a come from behind victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
who trailed the Cardinals 2 to 1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Loretta said, “That’s the biggest hit of my career.” This sudden victory enabled the Dodgers to take a two games to none lead in the division series. They would go on to win the series 3-0.
Retirement
Loretta retired after the 2009 season. He will join the Padres as a special assistant to the baseball operations staff.Personal
Loretta attended Saint Francis High SchoolSaint Francis High School (La Cañada Flintridge)
Saint Francis High School is a Catholic preparatory high school for young men, located in La Cañada Flintridge, California, USA. Founded in 1946 on the lands bought from a golf club, it is owned and directed by the Capuchin Friars of the Western American Province of Our Lady of Angels.Its official...
in La Cañada, California
La Cañada Flintridge, California
La Cañada Flintridge is a small and affluent city in Los Angeles County, California, United States whose population at the 2010 census was 20,246, down from 20,318 at the 2000 census. According to Forbes, as of 2010, La Cañada Flintridge ranks as the 143rd most expensive U.S...
, and he was a classmate of Gregg Zaun
Gregg Zaun
Gregory Owen "Gregg" Zaun is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He is the nephew of former MLB catcher Rick Dempsey. Zaun was a high school teammate of Mark Loretta...
. Loretta has a wife named Hilary, son named Frankie, and daughter named Lucy. His parents are David and Ellen Loretta, and he has a brother Chris and a sister Kelly. Loretta is also a member of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta
Phi Gamma Delta
The international fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta is a collegiate social fraternity with 120 chapters and 18 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and its headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA...
, commonly known as FIJI (Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, 1993).