Sal Fasano
Encyclopedia
Salvatore Frank Fasano is a former Major League Baseball
catcher
who is currently the manager
of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
of the Double A Eastern League
, a Minor League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays
minor league system. He is known to many for his famous Horseshoe moustache
.
Jeff Pearlman
of ESPN.com
said of Fasano: "When I think of Sal Fasano, however, I think of greatness. Not of Willie Mays
or Ted Williams
greatness, but of a uniquely excellent human being who, were class and decency the most valued standards of a career, would be the easiest Hall of Fame inductee of all time."
and rising prospect Mike Sweeney
. In , he established career highs in at bat
s (216) and RBI
(31). He also ranked second in the American League
in HBPs with 16.
purchased Fasano's contract from the Royals in March of and handed him the team's back up duties behind starter Ramon Hernandez
. Fasano helped the A's capture the A.L. West division crown that season, and made his, to date, only post season appearance as a defensive replacement. While with Oakland, Fasano says, he came to realize that many players around him were taking anabolic steroid
s, and briefly considered following suit, but he decided against it. The Royals repurchased his contract the following off-season.
in June , with Brent Mayne
heading to the Royals. After an uneventful half season in another reserve role, Fasano and the Rockies cut ties later that autumn.
in , Fasano in , his first season back in the majors achieved career highs in home run
s (11) and runs scored
(25) as a member of the Baltimore Orioles
.
as a backup to Mike Lieberthal
. His distinctive Fu Manchu mustache earned him the cult admiration of Phillies fans, who began a Phan Phavorites fan club called Sal's Pals. Fasano showed his gratitude by buying the group tickets and pizza. Fasano began to see more playing time as Lieberthal got injured, eventually taking over the starting role. His light hitting though cost him his job as rookie backstop Chris Coste
emerged in Lieberthal's absence. When Lieberthal returned, there was no spot for Fasano. He was designated for assignment and acquired by the New York Yankees
in exchange for minor league infielder Hector Made.
. In August
, while working an Angels
-Yankees
game, Fox commentator Steve Lyons
discussed the fact that Fasano had to shave his moustache. Responding to a comment by his fellow Fox sportscaster about how one doesn't want to cross Fasano, Lyons replied:
He spent the late summer and September as a back-up to Jorge Posada
and did not appear in the Yankees four game loss to the Detroit Tigers
in the Division Series. On August 19, 2006, Fasano made his first career pinch-running
appearance, taking the place of fellow catcher Jorge Posada during a 13-5 win over the Boston Red Sox
at Fenway Park
. During that game, Fasano nearly picked off Manny Ramirez
after blocking the plate and denying the Red Sox another run. He also is known for his low targets that he gives to his pitchers on most pitches.
in January , and was invited to major league spring training
. On April 26, the Blue Jays purchased Fasano's contract from Triple-A Syracuse of the International League
in order to fill a void left by an injury to Gregg Zaun
. During this time, he shared catching responsibilities with Jason Phillips. His first at bat as a Blue Jay came against the Texas Rangers
on April 28. Following the return of Zaun, the Blue Jays designated Fasano for assignment on June 13 and sent him outright to Syracuse on June 16.
At Syracuse, he hit .413 and earned a surprise callup to the Blue Jays. He had a .178 average with 1 home run and 4 RBI in 16 games during his brief stint as a replacement for the injured Zaun. He finished the season as a member of the Blue Jays 40-man roster and the back-up to Gregg Zaun
and Curtis Thigpen
.
On March 25, , the Blue Jays released him.
and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Richmond Braves
. He did not play in a big league game with the Braves.
for a player to be named later and assigned to the major league team as a backup for Kelly Shoppach
with Víctor Martínez on the DL.
. He finished managing Lugnuts with a record of 70-69 (.504).
On November 28, 2010, Fasano accepted the position as the manager of the New Hampshire Fisher cats
, the AA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
In 2011 Sal Fasano was named AA manager of the year while coaching the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
and was successfully operated on.
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...
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...
who is currently the 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...
of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major-league club....
of the Double A Eastern League
Eastern League
Eastern League may refer to:*Eastern League , a professional baseball minor league in the United States*International League, a baseball minor league known as the Eastern League from 1884 to 1912...
, a Minor League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
minor league system. He is known to many for his famous Horseshoe moustache
Horseshoe moustache
A horseshoe moustache is a full moustache with vertical extensions grown on the corners of the lips and down the sides of the mouth to the jawline, resembling an upside-down U or a horseshoe...
.
Jeff Pearlman
Jeff Pearlman
Jeff Pearlman is an American sports writer. He has written two books about baseball and was the author of the infamous John Rocker interview in Sports Illustrated. In October 2011 he released his fifth book, a biography of Walter Payton titled, "Sweetness: The Engimatic Life of Walter Payton." It...
of ESPN.com
ESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
said of Fasano: "When I think of Sal Fasano, however, I think of greatness. Not of Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
or Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
greatness, but of a uniquely excellent human being who, were class and decency the most valued standards of a career, would be the easiest Hall of Fame inductee of all time."
Kansas City Royals
After three seasons in the minor leagues, the catcher made his major league debut on April 3, for the Royals. He spent the next three seasons splitting catching duties with starter Mike MacfarlaneMike Macfarlane
Michael Andrew Macfarlane is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics...
and rising prospect Mike Sweeney
Mike Sweeney
Michael John "Mike" Sweeney is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Sweeney played his first 13 seasons in the majors with the Kansas City Royals, originally as a catcher and then moving to first base. Sweeney has also played for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia...
. In , he established career highs in at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s (216) and 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...
(31). He also ranked second in 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 HBPs with 16.
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
purchased Fasano's contract from the Royals in March of and handed him the team's back up duties behind starter Ramon Hernandez
Ramón Hernández
Ramón José Hernández Marin is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher who plays for the Colorado Rockies. Previously, he played with the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles , and Cincinnati Reds .-Career:Hernández is a career .263 hitter with 144 home runs, 651 RBI, and 455...
. Fasano helped the A's capture the A.L. West division crown that season, and made his, to date, only post season appearance as a defensive replacement. While with Oakland, Fasano says, he came to realize that many players around him were taking anabolic steroid
Anabolic steroid
Anabolic steroids, technically known as anabolic-androgen steroids or colloquially simply as "steroids", are drugs that mimic the effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the body. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue ,...
s, and briefly considered following suit, but he decided against it. The Royals repurchased his contract the following off-season.
Colorado Rockies
Fasano's hitting woes continued back in Kansas City, and the Royals swapped back-up catchers with the Colorado RockiesColorado 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...
in June , with Brent Mayne
Brent Mayne
Brent Danem Mayne is a former Major League Baseball catcher who has played with the Kansas City Royals , New York Mets , Oakland Athletics , San Francisco Giants , Colorado Rockies , Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers...
heading to the Royals. After an uneventful half season in another reserve role, Fasano and the Rockies cut ties later that autumn.
Baltimore Orioles
After one at bat with the Anaheim AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in , Fasano in , his first season back in the majors achieved career highs in 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 (11) and runs scored
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...
(25) as a member of the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore 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...
.
Philadelphia Phillies
Fasano began for the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
as a backup to Mike Lieberthal
Mike Lieberthal
Michael Scott "Mike" Lieberthal , nicknamed Lieby, is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He batted and threw right-handed....
. His distinctive Fu Manchu mustache earned him the cult admiration of Phillies fans, who began a Phan Phavorites fan club called Sal's Pals. Fasano showed his gratitude by buying the group tickets and pizza. Fasano began to see more playing time as Lieberthal got injured, eventually taking over the starting role. His light hitting though cost him his job as rookie backstop Chris Coste
Chris Coste
Christopher Robert Coste is an author and Major League Baseball catcher who is currently a free agent. Coste was on a Major League Baseball team for the first time in his career at age 33...
emerged in Lieberthal's absence. When Lieberthal returned, there was no spot for Fasano. He was designated for assignment and acquired by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in exchange for minor league infielder Hector Made.
New York Yankees
One of Fasano's first acts as a Yankee was to trim his facial hair. A well known requirement set forth by owner George SteinbrennerGeorge Steinbrenner
George Michael Steinbrenner III was an American businessman who was the principal owner and managing partner of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. During Steinbrenner's 37-year ownership from 1973 to his death in July 2010, the longest in club history, the Yankees earned seven World Series...
. In August
August 2006
August 2006 was a month with thirty-one days. On August 10, an alleged plot to detonate ten airliners over the Atlantic Ocean was revealed to the general public as London Metropolitan Police arrested alleged conspirators. The month-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah came to a halt after a...
, while working an Angels
2006 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2006 season started with the team trying to win their 3rd consecutive AL West title. However, they came short, finishing in second place with a record of 89-73. But the biggest story of the year was longtime Angels mainstay Tim Salmon playing his final season...
-Yankees
2006 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees 2006 season was the Yankees 104th season in New York, and their 106th overall going back to their origins in Baltimore. The season finished with the Yankees winning the AL East Division...
game, Fox commentator Steve Lyons
Steve Lyons (baseball)
Stephen John Lyons is a former Major League Baseball player and a television sportscaster. He is of French and Irish descent, and currently resides in Hermosa Beach, California....
discussed the fact that Fasano had to shave his moustache. Responding to a comment by his fellow Fox sportscaster about how one doesn't want to cross Fasano, Lyons replied:
He spent the late summer and September as a back-up to Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
and did not appear in the Yankees four game loss to 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 Division Series. On August 19, 2006, Fasano made his first career pinch-running
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
appearance, taking the place of fellow catcher Jorge Posada during a 13-5 win over the 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"...
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"...
. During that game, Fasano nearly picked off Manny Ramirez
Manny Ramírez
Manuel "Manny" Arístides Ramírez Onelcida is a retired Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder. He was recognized for great batting skill and power, a nine-time Silver Slugger and one of 25 players to hit 500 career home runs. Ramirez's 21 grand slams are third all-time, and his 28...
after blocking the plate and denying the Red Sox another run. He also is known for his low targets that he gives to his pitchers on most pitches.
Toronto Blue Jays
Fasano agreed to a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in January , and was invited to major league spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. On April 26, the Blue Jays purchased Fasano's contract from Triple-A Syracuse of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
in order to fill a void left by an injury to 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...
. During this time, he shared catching responsibilities with Jason Phillips. His first at bat as a Blue Jay came 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...
on April 28. Following the return of Zaun, the Blue Jays designated Fasano for assignment on June 13 and sent him outright to Syracuse on June 16.
At Syracuse, he hit .413 and earned a surprise callup to the Blue Jays. He had a .178 average with 1 home run and 4 RBI in 16 games during his brief stint as a replacement for the injured Zaun. He finished the season as a member of the Blue Jays 40-man roster and the back-up to 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...
and Curtis Thigpen
Curtis Thigpen
Curtis Barnard Thigpen is a right-handed Major League Baseball catcher. Thigpen can also play first base, second base, and third base. He spent his college career at the University of Texas and won the College World Series in 2002 during which he was named to the All-Tournament Team...
.
On March 25, , the Blue Jays released him.
Atlanta Braves
On April 4, 2008, Fasano signed as a free agent with the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
. He did not play in a big league game with the Braves.
Cleveland Indians
On June 19, 2008, Fasano was traded by the Braves to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for a player to be named later and assigned to the major league team as a backup for Kelly Shoppach
Kelly Shoppach
Kelly Brian Shoppach is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. He is nicknamed Shop.Shoppach was traded to the Indians from the Boston Red Sox organization on January 28, 2006, as part of the same deal that saw outfielder Coco Crisp sent to Boston and highly regarded prospect Andy...
with Víctor Martínez on the DL.
Return to Colorado
On February 10, , Fasano signed a minor league deal to return to the Rockies. He was also extended an invitation to spring training.Coaching career
On November 25, 2009, Fasano returned to the Blue Jays organization, taking a managerial job for their Single-A affiliate, the Lansing LugnutsLansing Lugnuts
The Lansing Lugnuts are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays, that plays in the Midwest League.The Midwest League came to Lansing, Michigan in 1996. The franchise began in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1955; after two seasons it moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where it...
. He finished managing Lugnuts with a record of 70-69 (.504).
On November 28, 2010, Fasano accepted the position as the manager of the New Hampshire Fisher cats
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major-league club....
, the AA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
In 2011 Sal Fasano was named AA manager of the year while coaching the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Personal
Fasano is the son of Vincent and Nella Fasano, Italian immigrants who settled in the Chicago area. He is married to Kerri Kubinski, who was a volleyball player at Evansville. Fasano is a born-again Christian; he was introduced to spirituality by Kansas City teammate Keith Lockhart and credits religion with curtailing his desire to drink. Sal and Kerri have three children. The third, a son named Santo, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndromeHypoplastic left heart syndrome
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome , is a rare congenital heart defect in which the left ventricle of the heart is severely underdeveloped.-Causes:...
and was successfully operated on.
External links
- Minor League Splits and Situational Stats
- Phillies fan site The 700 Level's Sal Fasano archives
- Sal's Big Fat Blog
- Sal Fasano more than a human spare part
- Throwback Backstop: The story of how Sal Fasano became Philly's latest fan favorite
- Ballplayer has baby's heart on his mind
- Sal Fasano Information Page