Mike Fiore (baseball, born 1966)
Encyclopedia
Mike Fiore is a noted amateur and professional baseball player. An outfielder
, first baseman
, third baseman
, and designated hitter
, he batted from the right side and threw with his right hand.
from 1985 to 1988. He was a key contributor to their victory in the 1985 College World Series
, and was the school's lone representative on the All-Tournament team at the 1986 College World Series
, where Miami was eliminated in the 14th game. The next year, he was the inaugural winner of the Dick Howser Trophy
He was ultimately inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame.
He won a silver medal as a member of the United States national baseball team
at the 1987 Pan American Games
and remained a member of the national team in 1988, representing the United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics
, where America won a gold medal (unofficial due to the competition's status as a demonstration sport
), and the 1988 Baseball World Cup, where he won a silver medal and was recognized as the designated hitter on the tournament's All Star Team.
Fiore was also one of nine finalists for the Golden Spikes Award
that year, which was awarded to Robin Ventura
of Oklahoma State University.
selected Fiore in the 15th round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft
, but he never reached the major leagues. He played for the class A Springfield Cardinals
in 1989, the advanced class A St. Petersburg Cardinals in 1990, and the class AA Arkansas Travelers
in 1991.
. He later joined the staff of sports agent
Scott Boras
, who had been Fiore's representative during his playing career.
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
, third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, and 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...
, he batted from the right side and threw with his right hand.
Amateur
Fiore played college baseball for the University of MiamiUniversity of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
from 1985 to 1988. He was a key contributor to their victory in the 1985 College World Series
1985 College World Series
The 1985 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 31 to June 11. The thirty-ninth tournament champion was the University of Miami, coached by Ron Fraser. The Most Outstanding Player was Greg Ellena of the University of Miami.-Participants:-Game results:*...
, and was the school's lone representative on the All-Tournament team at the 1986 College World Series
1986 College World Series
The 1986 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, from May 30 to June 9. The fortieth tournament's champion was the University of Arizona, coached by Jerry Kindall...
, where Miami was eliminated in the 14th game. The next year, he was the inaugural winner of the Dick Howser Trophy
Dick Howser Trophy
The Dick Howser Trophy, considered to be the Heisman Trophy of college baseball, is an award presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association ....
He was ultimately inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame.
He won a silver medal as a member of the United States national baseball team
United States national baseball team
The United States National Baseball team represents the United States in international baseball competition. The United States has won the previous two Baseball World Cups, having lost this title to the Netherlands in 2011, and is currently second in the IBAF World Rankings, behind Cuba.The team...
at the 1987 Pan American Games
1987 Pan American Games
The 1987 Pan American Games, officially known as the X Pan American Games, was a major international multi-sport event which was celebrated in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, from 7 August to 23 August 1987. Over 4,300 athletes from 38 countries in the Americas competed in 30 sports earning...
and remained a member of the national team in 1988, representing the United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Baseball at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Baseball at the 1988 Summer Olympics was a demonstration sport for the seventh time. Eight teams competed in Seoul in the baseball tournament. The format used was the same as the tournament of four years earlier. Five teams that had competed in the 1984 tournament returned.-Preliminary round:There...
, where America won a gold medal (unofficial due to the competition's status as a demonstration sport
Demonstration sport
A demonstration sport is a sport which is played to promote itself, most commonly during the Olympic Games, but also at other sporting events.Demonstration sports were officially introduced in 1912 Summer Olympics, when Sweden decided to include glima, traditional Icelandic wrestling, in the...
), and the 1988 Baseball World Cup, where he won a silver medal and was recognized as the designated hitter on the tournament's All Star Team.
Fiore was also one of nine finalists for the Golden Spikes Award
Golden Spikes Award
The Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. It is awarded by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Though the award can be presented to any amateur player, it has always been given to a college baseball player.-Past...
that year, which was awarded to Robin Ventura
Robin Ventura
Robin Mark Ventura is the current manager of the Chicago White Sox. He is a former professional baseball player, a third baseman who played for four major league teams, most notably for the Chicago White Sox...
of Oklahoma State University.
Professional
The St. Louis CardinalsSt. 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...
selected Fiore in the 15th round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft
1988 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1988 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-External links:*...
, but he never reached the major leagues. He played for the class A Springfield Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
in 1989, the advanced class A St. Petersburg Cardinals in 1990, and the class AA Arkansas Travelers
Arkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
in 1991.
Post-playing career
After his retirement as a player, he worked for USA Baseball, eventually advancing to the position of general managerGeneral manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
. He later joined the staff of sports agent
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
Scott Boras
Scott Boras
Scott Boras is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, Calif. that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients, including many of the game's highest-profile players...
, who had been Fiore's representative during his playing career.