There have been some great names in baseball post-season history – among them Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio, Rocky Colavito and (if you want to count a pair) the Bash Brothers (Conseco and McGuire).But I’d like to suggest that a guy playing right now for Tampa Bay in the ALCS against Boston may have a name as good as any: Rocco Baldelli. And to live up to his name’s implications, he hit a three-run home run yesterday in the eighth inning in Bean Town to eliminate any thoughts of a Red Sox comeback in game three.
The photo shows Rocco with his 10-year-old kid brother, Dante, in the TB dugout for the game. The younger Baldelli, a Little Leaguer, got to spend the entire day on the field with Rocco and the Rays.
Although his name suggests “power hitter,” in reality Baldelli is fortunate to be playing Major League Baseball at all. Rocco suffers from a condition called “mitochondrial disorder” that exhibits itself in muscle weakness and exercise intolerance. Baldelli must maintain a physical regimentation closely guided by doctors and his trainers. It’s considered extraordinary that he is able to play baseball at the level he does.
But physical ailments notwithstanding, Rocco Baldelli yesterday provided a big thrill for his entire immediate family, who live in New England and who were all at the game. Way to go, Rocco; you’ve got a great moniker! The only question mark is, can it carry the Rays all the way past the Red Sox, like it did for one game?
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