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.

Athletes

Beach volleyball

Kerri Walsh Jennings (Italian great-grandfather)

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
Jim Adduci (baseball, born 1959)
Joe Altobelli
Joey Amalfitano
Johnny Antonelli
Bob Aspromonte
Ken Aspromonte
Rich Aurilia
Steve Balboni
Rocco Baldelli (born 1981)
Sal Bando
Daniel Barone
John Barbato
Phil Barzilla

Paras "Bambino" Baxi

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. Elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. The Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Yogi Bear was named after— him.
Joe Biagini
Jeff Bianchi
Craig Biggio (born 1965), baseball player
Zeke Bonura
Ralph Branca
Al Brancato
Rico Brogna
Drew Butera
Dolph Camilli
Lou Camilli
Ken Caminiti
Tony Campana
Roy Campanella (1921–1993), Baseball Hall of Fame (Italian father)
Tom Candiotti
John Cangelosi
Jay Canizaro
Chris Cannizzaro
Chris Capuano
Bernie Carbo
Robert Castellini, owner and team president of the Cincinnati Reds
Frank Catalanotto (born 1974)
Phil Cavarretta (first Italian-American to manage a major league team–1951 Cubs)
Rick Cerone
John Cerutti
Francisco Cervelli, catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, born in Valencia, Venezuela in 1986, but is of Italian descent; played for the Italian baseball team in the World Baseball Classic in 2009
Tony Cingrani
Gino Cimoli
Cody Cillo
Chris Colabello
Rocky Colavito
Tony Conigliaro
Mike Costanzo
Jason Conti
Frank Crosetti
Tony Cuccinello
John D'Acquisto
Jamie D'Antona
Tony DeFrancesco
Bobby Del Greco
David Dellucci
Frank Demaree
Chris Denorfia
Daniel Descalso
Anthony DeSclafani
Sam Dente
Mark DeRosa
Matt DeSalvo
Mark DiFelice
Mike 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
Nathan Eovaldi
Sal Fasano (born 1971)
Don Ferrarese
Mike Ferraro
Tony Fiore (born 1971)
Carl Furillo, baseball player
John Franco, relief pitcher
Terry Francona, manager
Tito Francona, baseball player
Jim Fregosi
Joey Gallo (baseball)
Mike Gallo (born 1977) pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for Houston Astros
Gary Gaetti power-hitting third basemen
Joe Garagiola, baseball player
Bob Garibaldi
Jim Gentile
Justin Germano
Jason Giambi (born 1971)
Jeremy Giambi (born 1974)
Tony Giarratano (born 1982)
Johnny Giavotella
Al Gionfriddo
Joe Girardi
Dave Giusti
Tony Graffanino
Mickey Grasso
Jason Grilli (born 1976), baseball pitcher who plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Larry Gura
Chris Iannetta
Pete Incaviglia
Paul Konerko
Mike Laga
Matt LaPorta
Tommy Lasorda He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a manager in 1997.
Tommy La Stella
Tony La Russa, born Anthony La Russa, Jr. (born 1944), manager in Major League Baseball.
Cookie Lavagetto
Tony Lazzeri
Alex Liddi
Ernie Lombardi
Steve Lombardozzi
Steve Lombardozzi, Jr.
Dario Lodigiani
Paul Lo Duca (born 1972) catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Washington Nationals.
Mark Loretta
Frank Lucchesi
Larry Lucchino, team president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox
Matt Macri
Joe Maddon
Sal Maglie, born Salvatore Anthony Maglie.
Paul Mainieri, head coach of the LSU Tigers baseball team
Frank Malzone
Frank Mancuso
Gus Mancuso
Jeff Manto
Billy Martin, born Alfred Manuel Martin (1928–1989), baseball player and manager
John Marzano
Darin Mastroianni
Lee Mazzilli
Leo Mazzone
Vin Mazzaro, pitcher for Oakland A's
Frank Menechino (born 1971)
Lou Merloni
Lennie Merullo
Matt Merullo
Devin Mesoraco
Dan Miceli (born 1970), plays for Tampa Bay Rays
Nick Mileti, owner and president of the Cleveland Indians from 1972 to 1975
Tommy Milone
Doug Mirabelli (born 1970) catcher
Bob Molinaro
John Montefusco
Rich Monteleone
Mickey Morandini
Don Mossi (born 1929)
Chad Mottola
Vince Naimoli, Former owner of the Tampa Bay Rays
Mike Napoli, First baseman for the Boston Red Sox
Maud Nelson
Justin Nicolino
Steve Nicosia
Jon Niese
Aaron Nola
Austin Nola
Jake Odorizzi
John Orsino
Adam Ottavino
Val Pascucci (born 1978)
Mike Pagliarulo
Matt Pagnozzi
Tom Pagnozzi
Joe Palmisano (1902–1971), catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics
Carl Pavano
Joe Pepitone
Lou Perini, owner of the Boston /Milwaukee Braves from 1945 to 1961
Sam Perlozzo
Vinnie Pestano
Rico Petrocelli
Andy Pettitte – Part Italian and Part French.
Mike Piazza (born 1968)
Babe Pinelli
Rick Porcello, Pitcher
Nick Punto
Anthony Ranaudo
Vic Raschi
Bill Renna, infielder
J. P. Ricciardi (born 1959), General Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays
Justin Ruggiano
Dave Righetti
Leo Righetti
Anthony Rizzo
Johnny Rizzo
Phil Rizzuto (1917–2007), born Fiero Francis Rizzuto. Elected to National Baseball Hall of Frame in 1994.
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
Calvin Schiraldi
Mike Scioscia
Dan Serafini
Jason Simontacchi (born 1975) Currently pitcher for the St.Louis Cardinals
Max Stassi
Brian Sweeney
Nick Swisher, born 1/25/1980, Italian on mother's side.
Joe Torre- Manager of the LA Dodgers
Nick Tropeano
Bobby Valentine
Dave Valle
Pat Venditte
Robin Ventura
Ron Villone
Frank Viola
Barry Zito
Pete Zoccolillo (born 1977)
Mike Zunino

Basketball

Richie Adubato
Ryan Arcidiacono
Geno Auriemma (born 1954), hall of fame basketball coach
Paul Arizin
Dick Bavetta, NBA referee
Al Bianchi
Daniel Biasone
Christian Burns, basketball player that gained Italian passport by marriage
George Bucci
Dante Calabria
John Calipari
Angelo Caloiaro
P. J. Carlesimo
Lou Carnesecca
Ben Carnevale
Al Cervi
Bryan Colangelo
Jerry Colangelo
Matt Costello
Pete D'Alessandro
Mike D'Antoni (born 1951), basketball coach
Vinny Del Negro
Forrest DeBernardi
Ed DeChellis
Elena Delle Donne
Travis Diener
Ernie DiGregorio
Tony DiLeo
Al Ferrari
Fran Fraschilla
Mike Fratello (born 1947), basketball coach
Danilo Gallinari, stablished in the U.S. since he started playing in the NBA
John Gianelli
John Giannini
Tom Gugliotta
Mike Iuzzolino
Tom Izzo (born 1955), basketball coach
Rudy LaRusso
Hank Luisetti, Stanford star who was first player to use a jump shot
Dan Langhi
Kevin Lisch
Anthony Maestranzi
Phil Martelli (born 1954), basketball coach
Rollie Massimino
Thad Matta
Bill Melchionni, (born 1944), played 9 seasons in NBA and ABA (7 with the New York Nets)
Franklin Mieuli, (born 1920), owner of the Golden State Warriors from 1962–1985
Nick Mileti, (born 1931), former owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers
Dick Motta
Angelo Musi
Federico Mussini, studying in St. John's University since 2015
Mike Nardi
Togo Palazzi
John Pinone
Richard Pitino
Rick Pitino (born 1952), basketball coach
Sam Presti, General Manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder
Lou Pucillo
Mason Rocca
Jennifer Rizzotti
Brian Scalabrine
Diana Taurasi
Joe Trapani
Jim Valvano (1946–1993), basketball coach and sportscaster
Jeffrey Viggiano
Dick Vitale (born 1939), basketball coach and sportscaster

Billiards players

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

Bodybuilders

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^[1]
Primo Carnera, heavyweight boxing champion during the 1930s and later pro-wrestling champion.
Rocky Castellani
Billy Costello
Cus D'Amato (1908–1985) boxing manager and trainer^[2]
Paddy DeMarco
Tony DeMarco
Roland La Starza (1927–2009)
Angelo Dundee (1921–2012, born as Angelo Merena), boxing trainer.
Joe Dundee (1903–1982), born as Salvatore Lazzara, boxer
Johnny Dundee (1893–1965), born as Giuseppe Curreri, boxer.
Vince Dundee (1907–1949), born as Vincenzo Lazzara, boxer
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.
Bushy Graham (1905–1982), born Angelo Geraci, boxer
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
Sammy Mandell (1904–1967), born as Salvatore Mandala, world lightweight champion from 1926–1930.
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.
Tommy Paul (1909–1991), born Gaetano Alfonso Papa, boxer.
Willie Pep (brn 1922 as Gugliemo Papaleo)
Billy Petrolle
Mike Rossman (Italian father)
Lou Salica
Lou Savarese
Petey Scalzo
Paul Spadafora
Phil Terranova
Johnny Wilson (1893–1985), born Giovanni Panica, boxer.
Young Corbett III, born Raffaele Capabianca Giordano (1905–1993), world welterweight boxing champion.

Figure skaters

American football

Ray Abruzzese
Louis "Duke" Abbruzzi
Pasquale "Pat" Abbruzzi
Steve Addazio
Nick Aliotti
Chuck Amato
Alan Ameche
Danny Amendola, wide receiver for the New England Patriots
Bob Avellini
Sisto Averno
Joe Avezzano
Al Bagnoli, Penn Quakers Head coach 1992–2014
Marco Battaglia
Mark Bavaro
Gary Beban
Joe Bellino
Mike Bellotti
Angelo Bertelli
Stephen Bisciotti, NFL owner, Baltimore Ravens
Joel Bitonio
Steve Bono
John Bosa
Joey Bosa
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
Jim Capuzzi
Glenn Carano
Frank Carideo
Giovanni Carmazzi
Mike Catapano
Chandler Catanzaro
Anthony Castonzo
Marc Colombo
Chris Conte
Jim Covert
Blake Costanzo
Gary Cuozzo
Mark Dantonio, Head Coach, Michigan State Spartans football. In 2015, he became the first head coach in Big Ten history to achieve at least 11 wins in 5 of 6 seasons.
Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr., NFL owner, San Francisco 49ers
Denise DeBartolo York, NFL owner, San Francisco 49ers
Eric DeCosta, NFL Scouting Director, Baltimore Ravens
Dan DeSantis
Mike DeVito
Bob Diaco
John DiGiorgio
Ryan D'Imperio
Gerry DiNardo
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
Vic Fangio
Anthony Fasano
Joe Flacco
Joe Fortunato
Rick Forzano
Bob Gagliano
John Gagliardi
Lu Gambino
Jimmy Garoppolo
Matt Giordano
Breno Giacomini
Ralph Guglielmi
Jim Harbaugh, His mother is of half-Sicilian
John Harbaugh, His mother is of half-Sicilian
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
Dante Lavelli
Lou Little
Vince Lombardi (1913–1970), legendary football coach.
Mike Lucci
Steve Maneri
Mark Mangino
Gino Marchetti
Ed Marinaro
Rod Marinelli
Dan Marino (born 1961), Hall of Fame quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.
Doug Marrone
Franklin Mieuli, NFL owner, minority owner of the San Francisco 49ers.
Skip Minisi
Joe Montana (born 1956), widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.
Tony Morabito, NFL owner, San Francisco 49ers
George Musso
Bill Narduzzi
Pat Narduzzi, University of Pittsburgh panthers head coach
Leo Nomellini
Chuck Pagano
Bill Parcells
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
Scott Pioli
Sabby Piscitelli
Travis Raciti
Dave Ragone
Andy Robustelli
Gene Ronzani
Dante Scarnecchia
Joe Scarpati
Greg Schiano
Carl Silvestri
Tony Siragusa
Steve Spagnuolo
Tony Sparano
Frank Spaziani Boston College coach
Sal Sunseri
Vinnie Sunseri
Paul Tagliabue, former NFL commissioner
Vinny Testaverde
Jim Tomsula
Gino Torretta
Charley Trippi
Kenny Vaccaro
Dick Vermeil, football coach
Phil Villapiano
Adam Vinatieri, football kicker for Indianapolis
Frank Zombo
Vic Zucco

Golfers

Lou Barbaro
Mark Calcavecchia
Donna Caponi
Fred Couples (Father changed family name from Coppola)
Chris DiMarco
George Fazio
Ed Fiori
Doug Ford
Vic Ghezzi
Peter Malnati
Tony Manero
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".
Brinson Paolini
Johnny Revolta
Gene Sarazen
Shawn Stefani
Roger Tambellini
Peter Tomasulo
Felice Torza
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
Catello Manzi
Dave Palone
Jessica Springsteen

Ice hockey players

Ice hockey owners

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

Martial arts

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
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.
Alexander Rossi
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

Christie Rampone
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 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.
Mike Grella, striker who played the majority of his career in England, now playing for New York Red Bulls. His family is original from Sturno, in the province of Avellino.
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 National Challenge 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 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 Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer^[3]
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.
Domenic Mediate
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 Bollettieri
Jennifer Capriati, professional tennis player
Mary Carillo
Bjorn Fratangelo
Sammy Giammalva
Kathy Rinaldi
Derrick Rostagno
Nick Saviano
Robert Seguso
Vince Spadea

Wrestlers

John Cena
Brie and Nikki Bella
James Maritato, known as Nunzio on stage
Chuck Palumbo
Vito LoGrasso, known only as Vito on stage
Stephanie Finochio, known as Trinity on stage

Notes

↑ "Italian American boxer Tony Canzoneri"
↑ "'Cus' D'Amato (an eccentric Italian/American...)"
↑ "ITALIAN IANNI: U.S. defender Patrick Ianni told reporters that this game will be interesting for him as he has a 75 percent Italian background. His grandparents are from Milan and Turin and he grew up an Italian soccer fan, cheering for A.C. Milan. "When I found out we were playing Italy I thought it was cool because of my background. It will be interesting, but the truth is it doesn’t really matter who we play really at this point. We just want to win."

External links

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