List of Italian Americans in sports

For other Italian Americans, see List of Italian Americans.

This is a List of Italian Americans in sports.

To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Italian American sports people or must have references showing they are Italian American sports people and are notable.

See also: List of members of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

Athletes

• Ray Barbuti, athlete
• Andrew Howe, athlete

Baseball

• Ed Abbaticchio (First Italian American to play in the major leagues using his real name, made his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1897 and played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1909 World Series)
• Jeremy Accardo
• Joe Altobelli
• Joey Amalfitano
• Johnny Antonelli
• Bob Aspromonte
• Ken Aspromonte
• Rich Aurilia
• Steve Balboni
• Rocco Baldelli (born 1981)
• Sal Bando
• Phil Barzilla
• Johnny Berardino (1939–1952, World Series 1948 Cleveland Indians)
• Dale Berra
• Yogi Berra (born 1925), born Lawrence Peter Berra. Former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball. The Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Yogi Bear was named after him.
• Zeke Bonura
• Ralph Branca
• Al Brancato
• Craig Biggio (born 1965), baseball player
• Rico Brogna
• Dolph Camilli
• Lou Camilli
• Ken Caminiti
• Tony Campana
• Roy Campanella (1921–1993), Baseball Hall of Fame (Italian father)
• Tom Candiotti
• John Cangelosi
• Chris Capuano
• Bernie Carbo
• Robert Castellini, owner and team president of the Cincinnati Reds
• Frank Catalonotto (born 1974)
• Phil Cavarretta (first Italian-American to manage a major league team—1951 Cubs)
• Rick Cerone
• John Cerutti
• Francisco Cervelli, catcher for the New York Yankees, born in Valencia, Venezuela in 1986, but is of Italian descent; played for the Italian baseball team in the World Baseball Classic in 2009
• Gino Cimoli
• Cody Cillo
• Rocky Colavito
• Tony Conigliaro
• Jason Conti
• Frank Crosetti
• Tony Cuccinello
• John D'Acquisto
• David Dellucci
• Chris Denorfia
• Sam Dente
• Mark DeRosa
• Matt DeSalvo
• Mark DiFelice
• Joe DiGangi - Yankees bullpen catcher
• Dom DiMaggio (1917–2009), baseball player
• Joe DiMaggio (1914–1999), Baseball Hall of Fame
• Vince DiMaggio (1912–1986), baseball player
• Lenny DiNardo (born 1979) pitcher for Kansas City Royals
• Gary DiSarcina
• Sal Fasano (born 1971)
• Tony Fiore (born 1971)
• Carl Furillo, baseball player
• John Franco, relief pitcher
• Terry Francona, manager
• Tito Francona, baseball player
• Jim Fregosi

• Mike Gallo (born 1977) pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for Houston Astros
• Gary Gaetti power-hitting third basemen
• Joe Garagiola, baseball player
• Jim Gentile
• Jason Giambi (born 1971)
• Jeremy Giambi (born 1974)
• Tony Giarratano (born 1982)
• Al Gionfriddo
• Joe Girardi
• Tony Graffanino
• Jason Grilli (born 1976), baseball pitcher who plays for the Detroit Tigers
• Tommy Lasorda
• Tony La Russa, born Anthony La Russa, Jr. (born 1944), manager in Major League Baseball.
• Cookie Lavagetto
• Tony Lazzeri
• Ernie Lombardi
• Paul Lo Duca (born 1972) catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Washington Nationals.
• Frank Lucchesi
• Larry Lucchino, team president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox
• Sal Maglie, born Salvatore Anthony Maglie.
• Frank Malzone
• Billy Martin, born Alfred Manuel Martin (1928–1989), baseball player and manager
• John Marzano
• Lee Mazzilli
• Leo Mazzone
• Vin Mazzaro, pitcher for Oakland A's
• Frank Menechino (born 1971)
• Lou Merloni
• Lennie Merullo
• Matt Merullo
• Dan Miceli (born 1970), plays for Tampa Bay Rays
• Nick Mileti, owner and president of the Cleveland Indians from 1972 to 1975
• Doug Mirabelli (born 1970) catcher
• Rich Monteleone
• Mickey Morandini
• Don Mossi (born 1929)
• Chad Mottola
• Vince Naimoli, Former owner of the Tampa Bay Rays
• Mike Napoli, Catcher for the Los Angeles Angels
• John Orsino
• Adam Ottavino
• Val Pascucci (born 1978)
• Mike Pagliarulo
• Tom Pagnozzi
• Carl Pavano
• Joe Pepitone
• Lou Perini, owner of the Boston/Milwaukee Braves from 1945 to 1961
• Sam Perlozzo
• Rico Petrocelli
• Andy Pettitte - Part Italian and Part French.
• Mike Piazza (born 1968)
• Babe Pinelli
• Rick Porcello, Pitcher
• Nick Punto
• Vic Raschi
• Bill Renna, infielder
• J.P. Ricciardi (born 1959), General Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays
• Dave Righetti
• Phil Rizzuto (1917–2007), born Fiero Francis Rizzuto.
• Johnny Romano
• Vinny Rottino
• Kevin Russo
• Margaret Russo (1931–2006), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
• Marius Russo
• Mark Saccomanno (born 1980)
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Former Texas Rangers catcher
• Ron Santo
• Dan Serafini
• Calvin Schiraldi
• Mike Scioscia
• Jason Simontacchi (born 1975) Currently pitcher for the St.Louis Cardinals
• Nick Swisher, born 1/25/1980, Italian on mother's side.
• Joe Torre- Manager of the LA Dodgers
• Bobby Valentine
• Ron Villone
• Frank Viola
• Barry Zito
• Pete Zoccolillo (born 1977)

Basketball

• Richie Adubato
• Geno Auriemma (b. 1954), hall of fame basketball coach
• Dick Bavetta, NBA referee
• Al Bianchi
• Daniel Biasone
• George Bucci
• John Calipari
• P. J. Carlesimo
• Lou Carnesecca
• Ben Carnevale
• Al Cervi
• Bryan Colangelo
• Jerry Colangelo
• Mike D'Antoni (b. 1951), basketball coach
• Vinny Del Negro
• Ernie DiGregorio
• Al Ferrari
• Mike Fratello (b. 1947), basketball coach
• Danilo Gallinari
• John Gianelli
• Tom Gugliotta
• Mike Iuzzolino
• Tom Izzo (b. 1955), basketball coach
• Rudy LaRusso
• Hank Luisetti, Stanford star who was first player to use a jump shot^{[citation needed]}
• Dan Langhi
• Phil Martelli (b. 1954), basketball coach
• Rollie Massimino
• Bill Melchionni, (b. 1944), played 9 seasons in NBA and ABA (7 with the New York Nets)
• Franklin Mieuli, (b. 1920), owner of the Golden State Warriors from 1962–1985
• Nick Mileti, (b. 1931), former owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers
• Dick Motta
• Mike Nardi
• Togo Palazzi
• Rick Pitino (b. 1952), basketball coach
• Sam Presti, General Manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder
• Mason Rocca
• Brian Scalabrine
• Jim Valvano (1946–1993), basketball coach and sportscaster
• Jeffrey Viggiano
• Dick Vitale (b. 1939), basketball coach and sportscaster
• Diana Taurasi

Billiards players

• Willie Mosconi, born William Joseph Mosconi (1913–1993), billiards player.

Bodybuilders

• Charles Atlas
• Bob Cicherillo
• Franco Columbu
• Lou Ferrigno
• Rich Gaspari
• Mike Matarazzo
• Frank Sepe

Boxers

• Lou Ambers (1913–1995), born Luigi d'Ambrosio, boxer.
• Sammy Angott (born 1915 as Samuel Engotti)
• Vito Antuofermo
• Fred Apostoli
• Carmen Basilio
• Battling Battalino
• Sal Bartolo
• Melio Bettina
• Tony Canzoneri (1908–1959) boxer
• Primo Carnera, heavyweight boxing champion during the 1930s and later pro-wrestling champion.
• Rocky Castellani
• Cus D'Amato (1908–1985) boxing manager and trainer
• Paddy DeMarco
• Tony DeMarco
• Angelo Dundee (1921–2012, born as Angelo Merena), boxing trainer.
• Lou Duva (born 1922), boxing trainer.
• Charley Fusari
• Arturo Gatti
• Tony Galento
• Frankie Genaro
• Joey Giardello (born 1930 as Carmine Orlando Tilelli), boxing star during the 1950s and 1960s.
• Rocky Graziano
• Pete Herman (1896–1973), born Peter Gulotta, one of the all time great bantamweight boxer world champions.
• Harry Jeffra (born 1914 as Ignazio Guiffo)
• Rocky Kansas (1895–1954), born Rocco Tozzo, boxer.
• Fidel La Barba
• Jake LaMotta, (born 1921), boxer.
• Vinny Maddalone
• Paulie Malignaggi
• Ray Mancini
• Rocky Marciano (1924–1969), boxer, only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated.
• Michael Marrone, boxer
• Joey Maxim (1922–2001), born Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli, boxer, world light heavyweight champion.
• Joe Mesi
• Willie Pastrano
• Vinny Paz (born 1962), multiple world champion, born as Vinny Pazienza.
• Willie Pep (brn 1922 as Gugliemo Papaleo)
• Mike Rossman (Italian father)
• Lou Savarese
• Phil Terranova
• Johnny Wilson (1893–1985), born Giovanni Panica, boxer.
• Young Corbett III, born Raffaele Capabianca Giordano (1905–1993), world welterweight boxing champion.
• Alex Doyle, born Alexander Dolcemascolo 1921, (1938–1948) top ten ranked Jr. Welterweight. NJ State champion, NJ Boxing Hallof Fame

Figure skaters

• Brian Boitano

American Football

• Pasquale "Pat" Abbruzzi
• Alan Ameche
• Danny Amendola, wide receiver for the Saint Louis Rams
• Bob Avellini
• Frank Zombo, line backer for the Green Bay Packers
• Marco Battaglia
• Mark Bavaro
• Gary Beban
• Joe Bellino
• Mike Bellotti
• Angelo Bertelli
• Stephen Bisciotti, NFL owner, Baltimore Ravens
• Tony Boselli
• Tedy Bruschi (Italian Father)
• Doug Buffone
• Nick Buoniconti
• Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, and all of American football
• Dave Campo
• Tony Canadeo
• Gino Cappelletti
• John Cappelletti
• Glenn Carano
• Anthony Castonzo
• Marc Colombo
• Jim Covert
• Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr., NFL owner, San Francisco 49ers
• Denise DeBartolo York, NFL owner, San Francisco 49ers
• Eric Decosta, NFL Scouting Director, Baltimore Ravens
• Mike DeVito
• Ryan D'Imperio
• Aldo Donelli, American football and soccer player, and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. In 1941, he made American football history becoming thus far the only man to simultaneously coach both a National Football League team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a collegiate team, Duquesne Dukes. The latter would finish that season undefeated.
• Jason Fabini
• Anthony Fasano
• Joe Flacco
• Bob Gagliano
• John Gagliardi
• Lu Gambino
• Matt Giordano
• Breno Giacomini
• Ralph Guglielmi
• Franco Harris (Italian mother) best known for "Immaculate reception"
• Larry Izzo (Italian father) linebacker and special teams captain for the New England Patriots
• Daryle Lamonica
• Lou Little
• Vince Lombardi, (1913–1970), legendary football coach.
• Mike Lucci
• Mark Mangino
• Gino Marchetti
• Ed Marinaro
• Dan Marino (born 1961), Hall of Fame quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.
• Franklin Mieuli, NFL owner, minority owner of the San Francisco 49ers.
• Joe Montana (born 1956), widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.
• Tony Morabito, NFL owner, San Francisco 49ers
• Leo Nomellini
• Bill Parcells, is Portuguese not Italiano from BB football coach
• Babe Parilli
• Vincent Papale
• Dan Pastorini
• Joe Paterno, legendary football coach for Penn State.
• Bo Pelini, Nebraska Cornhuskers coach
• Rob Petitti
• Bobby Petrino Arkansas Razorbacks coach
• Nick Pietrosante
• Brian Piccolo
• Sabby Piscitelli
• Joe Scarpati
• Greg Schiano
• Tony Siragusa
• Steve Spagnuolo
• Paul Tagliabue, former NFL commissioner
• Vinny Testaverde
• Chris Capobianco
• Gino Torretta
• Dick Vermeil, football coach
• Phil Villapiano
• Adam Vinatieri, football kicker for Indianapolis
• Frank Zombo

Golfers

• Mark Calcavecchia
• Fred Couples (Father changed family name from Coppola)
• Chris DiMarco
• Doug Ford
• Steve Marino
• Rocco Mediate
• Phil Mickelson member of Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. His Italian heritage comes from his mother's side of the family. His nickname at Arizona St. was "The Roman".
• Gene Sarazen
• Peter Tomasulo
• Jim Turnesa
• Joe Turnesa
• Marc Turnesa
• Mike Turnesa
• Willie Turnesa
• Ken Venturi

Gymnastics

• Mary Lou Retton (born 1968) Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics (original family name was Rotunda, changed by her grandfather)
• Alicia Sacramone

Horse racers

• Eddie Arcaro, (1916–1997) thoroughbred horse-racing jockey.
• Frank Coltiletti

Ice hockey players

• Tony Amonte
• Tom Barrasso
• Amo Bessone
• Peter Bessone
• Bates Battaglia
• Ron DeGregorio
• Rick DiPietro
• Mike Eruzione
• Phil Esposito
• Tony Esposito
• Andre Gambucci
• Brian Gionta
• Cammi Granato
• Don Granato
• Tony Granato
• Rocco Grimaldi
• Mike Modano
• Aldo Palazzari
• Doug Palazzari
• Tom Poti
• Angela Ruggiero
• John Torchetti
• Tim Sestito
• Tom Sestito
• David Sacco
• Joe Sacco (ice hockey)
• Tony Tuzzolino
• Nick Tuzzolino
• John Vanbiesbrouck

Ice hockey owners

• Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., NHL owner, Pittsburgh Penguins
• Tom Golisano, NHL owner, Buffalo Sabres

Martial arts

• Gina Carano
• Nicholas Raymond Cerio
• Template:Joe Fiorentino

Matt Serra
Gianpiero Villante
Chris Weidmann
Frankie Edgar
Phil Baroni
Kurt Pellegrino

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Race car drivers

• Marco Andretti (born 1987), son of Michael Andretti. IRL IndyCar Rookie of the Year.
• Mario Andretti (born 1940), race car driver.
• Michael Andretti, 1991 IndyCar champion, son of Mario
• John Andretti, NASCAR driver, nephew of Mario.
• Richard Antinucci
• Eddie Cheever
• Luigi Chinetti
• Ralph DePalma (1884–1956), racecar driving champion.
• Chip Ganassi
• Joey Logano
• Cavino KELLY Petillo (1903–1970), 1935 Indianapolis 500 Champion
• Sergio Cresto (1956–1986) a WRC co-driver killed in the 1986 Tour de Corse with Henri Toivonen when their Lancia Delta S4 crashed down a ravine and exploded into flames.
• Nino Vaccarella

Skiing

• Julia Mancuso (born 1984) alpine skier; won a gold medal in the Giant Slalom race at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Soccer

• Chris Aloisi, a defender who, from 2004–07, had stints in Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo and in the USL First Division with the Rochester Rhinos. Since 2008, Aloisi has been playing for the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL Premier Development League.
• Bruce Arena, former head football coach for the United States men's national soccer team.
• Carmelo D'Anzi, played professional soccer in Italy, Mexico and U.S.A.; won 7 championships and 5 leading scoring titles during his career.
• Vincenzo Bernardo, played for the New York Red Bulls U-17 and U-19 teams from 2004-06. In 2006, he joined Italian team Napoli, but would play only on its primavera squad. As of 2009, after declining a 2-year contract extension from Napoli, which would have seen him play, on loan, for a team in the Lega Pro Seconda Divisione, he is a free agent.
• Frank Borghi, played for the U.S. national team in the 1950 World Cup.
• Paul Caligiuri, played for the U.S. national team in the 1994 World Cup.
• Dominic Cervi
• Charlie Colombo, played for the U.S. national team in the 1950 World Cup.
• Robert Contiguglia, former President of the United States Soccer Federation.
• Tony Donatelli, born in Glenside, Pennsylvania and, since 2008, plays for the Montreal Impact of the USSF D2 Pro League.
• Aldo Donelli, played both American football and soccer, and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He scored all 4 goals for the United States in their qualifying game victory against Mexico for the 1934 FIFA World Cup becoming the first American to score his first three international goals with the senior team in the same match. Three days later, he would also score the USA's lone goal in their first-round elimination game against Italy; this would be the final time an American tallied a goal on Italian soil for 58 years.
• Gabriel Ferrari, striker prospect for Italian club, Sampdoria. Has stated intention to play on American national teams.
• Tom Florie, played in both the first and second American Soccer Leagues, winning two U.S. Open Cup titles, and was also a member of the United States men's national soccer team at the 1930 and 1934 FIFA World Cup. He was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1986.
• Joe Franchino, a defensive midfielder in Major League Soccer who has played for the Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution. He has also appeared in one game for US national national team in a friendly against Mexico in October, 2000.
• Armando Frigo, American-born player in Serie A.
• Patrick Ianni (born 1985) soccer defensive midfielder, plays for Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer
• Tayt Ianni, played from 1993–2000, primarily in minor and developmental leagues across the United States. His only professional stint was for the San Jose Clash of Major League Soccer from 1996-97. His only cap for the U.S. national team occurred on October 19, 1996 in a 4-1 loss to Peru. Tayt is the brother of Patrick Ianni.
• Pablo Mastroeni, born in Argentina of Italian descent.
• Joe Martinelli, spent thirteen seasons in the American Soccer League and earned three caps with the U.S. national team, all against Mexico in September 1937. While selected to the US squad for the 1934 FIFA World Cup, he did not appear in the lone game the US played.
• Tony Meola, starting goalkeeper for the U.S. national team during the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.
• Daniel Paladini, was selected 24th over all in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft by the Los Angeles Galaxy, though he only played for the team's reserve squad. Paladini currently plays for the Carolina RailHawks in the USSF D2 Pro League.
• Gino Pariani, played for the U.S. national team in the 1950 World Cup.
• Giuseppe Rossi, born in the United States to Italian immigrant parents, he also holds citizenship from Italy and plays for Italian national teams.
• Hope Solo
• Sal Zizzo, Hannover 96 winger playing for American national teams.

Swimmers

• Matt Biondi (born 1965), Olympic swimmer.
• Lynn Colella
• Rick Colella
• Peter J. Cutino, California swimming and water polo coach
• Mary DeScenza
• George DiCarlo
• Eleanor Garatti
• Peter Rocca
• Sheila Taormina

Tennis players

• Paul Annacone*
• Nick Bolletieri
• Jennifer Capriati, professional tennis player
• Mary Carillo
• Bjorn Fratangelo
• Sammy Giammalva
• Kathy Rinaldi
• Derrick Rostagno
• Robert Seguso

See also

• List of Italian Americans

External links

• Famous Italians
• List of famous Italian-Americans