Greatest Italian-American athlete ?

[Average American]

Any thoughts on who is/was the greatest Italian American athlete, top 3s, etc..

my money is probably on Marciano ~

 

[Leonardfan]

Marciano is one of the best boxers ever - better than Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and all those blacks the jewish boxing writers love talking and hyping up.

Joe DiMaggio comes to mind as well.

 

[celticdb15]

Alan Ameche's up there.

 

[Charles Martel]

As far as boxers go, Willie Pep and Rocky Marciano come to mind.

Joe Montana is probably the best in football and Joe DiMaggio is the greatest in baseball.

 

[davidholly]

Joe Montana.

 

[jacknyc]

I believe there is an Italian-American sports hall of fame...maybe in Ohio.
They probably have a website.
My vote would be for Joe DiMaggio or Rocky Marciano.
Baseball is full of great Italian-Americans. In fact I saw a book recently about Italian-Americans and baseball....

 

[davidholly]

I believe there is an Italian-American sports hall of fame...maybe in Ohio.
They probably have a website.
My vote would be for Joe DiMaggio or Rocky Marciano.
Baseball is full of great Italian-Americans. In fact I saw a book recently about Italian-Americans and baseball....

Yeah but none of them top Joe Montana.

 

[jacknyc]

I love Joe Montana, but in my opinion, Joe DiMaggio and Rocky Marciano rank higher.

 

[white is right]

I love Joe Montana, but in my opinion, Joe DiMaggio and Rocky Marciano rank higher.

Lindy Remigino won the 100 meter title in 52'. That and the heavyweight title are generally world renowned titles.

 

[Don Wassall]

Does he need to have Italian ancestry on both sides to qualify? For example, Dan Marino has a Polish mother. It's a lot tougher now to find Italians that aren't mixed with other European nationalities than it used to be.

 

[screamingeagle]

Mario andretti, of course!

 

[The Hock]

Sylvester Stallone.

 

[Average American]

Does he need to have Italian ancestry on both sides to qualify? For example, Dan Marino has a Polish mother.

I didn't realize that about Marino.. If he's half-Italian, I consider him a paesan.. & in my mind, he's not too far behind Marciano. (probably in my top 3 or 4)

 

[Matra2]

I'll throw in a Canadian since they and Americans are pretty similar: Hockey player Phil Esposito.

Apparently Phil Mickleson is Italian on his mother's side.

What? No mention of Mary Carillo?:eyebrows:

 

[Europe]

What about Yogi Berra?

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (born May 12, 1925) is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career (1946–1965) for the New York Yankees. Berra is one of only four players to be named the Most Valuable Player of the American League three times and is one of seven managers to lead both American andNational League teams to the World Series. As a player, coach, or manager, Berra appeared in 21 World Series. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

 

[DixieDestroyer]

Marciano, Montana, DiMaggio & Marino w/ honorable mention to Mary Lou Retton, Matt Biondi, Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) & Charles Atlas (Angelo Siciliano).

 

[jaxvid]

Here's an Italian All-Star baseball team. Actually an Italian all-star team of guys whose fathers were Italian. Billy Martin is about the only non-obvious Italian name on the list.

STARTING PITCHERS

Johnny Antonelli
Sal Maglie
Vic Raschi
Kevin Tapani
Tom Candiotti
Jeff Fassero
Dave Giusti
Frank Viola
John Smoltz
John Montefusco
Pete Falcone
Barry Zito
RELIEF PITCHERS

John Franco
Rick Botallico
Joe Sambito
Don Mossi
Dave Righetti
Ralph Branca

CATCHERS

Ernie Lombardi
Mike Piazza
Yogi Berra
Roy Campanella
John Romano
Joe Girardi

FIRST BASEMEN

Dolph Camilli
Phil Cavarretta
Joe Pepitone
Frank Torre
Jason Giambi


SECOND BASEMEN

Tony Lazzerri
Craig Biggio
Billy Martin
Steve Sax
Tony Cuccinello
Mark Lemke

SHORTSTOPS

Phil Rizzuto
Rico Petrocelli
Gary Di Sarcina
Larry Bowa
Frank Crosetti
Rich Aurilia

THIRD BASEMEN

Ron Santo
Joe Torre
Frank Malzone
Sal Bando
Ken Caminiti
Robin Ventura
Mike Pagliarulo
Gary Gaetti

OUTFIELDERS

Joe DiMaggio
Dom DiMaggio
Rocky Colavito
Carl Furillo
Tony Conigliaro
Dave Pasqua
Lee Mazilli
Jack Clark
Tito Francona
Pete Incaviglia
Sam Mele
Bernie Carbo

MANAGERS

Tom LaSorda
Tony LaRussa
Joe Torre
Bobby Valentine
Mike Scoscia

COACHES Leo Mazzone
Sal Varreale
Joe Ferguson
​

 

[Europe]

Nice List Jaxvid.

Did you just think of those or get them off of a site?

Now we have to put up with a bunch of Venezuelans, Dominicans and Cubans who shouldn't even be here.

 

[jaxvid]

Nice List Jaxvid.

Did you just think of those or get them off of a site?

I started thinking them up with catchers then thought "hey, this is the internet there has to be a place with this stuff." And there was.
http://juniorsbaseballblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/top-10-italian-american-players-of-all.html

I thought some of the names were marginal like Rick Botallico but otherwise a pretty good list.

 

[Freethinker]

I started thinking them up with catchers then thought "hey, this is the internet there has to be a place with this stuff." And there was.
http://juniorsbaseballblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/top-10-italian-american-players-of-all.html

I thought some of the names were marginal like Rick Botallico but otherwise a pretty good list.

I'm not sure you want this "paesano" on your team.

He must come from the Mike Tirico mold.

 

[white is right]

I'm not sure you want this "paesano" on your team.

He must come from the Mike Tirico mold.

Tirico claims to be a full blooded Italian. Campanella was a Mulatto. Yet Tirico is darker?:crazy:

 

[jacknyc]

This is the place to look for Italian American athletes:
http://www.niashf.org/category/inductees/

 

[jaxvid]

I'm not sure you want this "paesano" on your team.

He must come from the Mike Tirico mold.

Yes Camanella was half black. But I gotta tell you I got dago uncles that don't look much darker then that picture. Maybe the nordict supremecists don't like it but southern Europeans spend some time at the beach.

 

[Quiet Speed]

Maybe the nordict supremecists don't like it but southern Europeans spend some time at the beach.

Now hold on just one cotton pickin’ minute. Swedes tan quite nicely.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2003/jul/03/thisweekssciencequestions4