rocco ippolito

[kokosforever]

Does any old Brownies fan know why farmhard Rocco Ippolito couldn't crack the majors? He had a few good years in the minors.
Also does anyone know if he's still living?:confused:

[VIBaseball]

Never heard of him, so I was intrigued to look some more. I did not know that he came to the Browns from the A's in the Bob Dillinger deal.

In spring 1950, the "lad from Bayonne, N.J." got a trial at third base (he was an outfielder by trade though he also pitched some in his early pro days). The Browns actually "called up" Ippolito that September along with 11 other guys, but none of them reported because their minor-league teams were still in the playoff hunt.

He spent 1951-52 in the military -- that was probably the main thing keeping him from at least a cup of coffee.

He got "recalled" again from San Antonio in September 1953. I can't tell whether he was actually on the roster, though.

After the Browns became the Orioles, Ippolito "reluctantly" reported to Denver in the Western League (a Class A Pirates affiliate) in April 1954. It looks like he finished his career in Mexico in 1956.

He's no longer with us. I can't tell when he passed away, since I couldn't find an obit, but I saw a little bit on his wedding in 1954. The bride's name was the same as that I saw in a 2008 obit noting that Rocco predeceased her.

[Macker]

Probably due to his low batting averages. He had decent home run power, but he never hit for a high average above A ball. He went from .297 & .370 in Class D, then .310 in Class A while in the Athletics system to .235 & .234 in 1950 & 1953 in AA for the Browns. Looks like he was in military service 1951-52, which also didn't help him any.

[VIBaseball]

I found the obit. He passed away on May 7, 1995. He was a mail carrier and lived in Kansas after baseball.

[kokosforever]

Great work and thanks for the info!:clapping