Mike Costanzo
Costanzo with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Third baseman
Born: (1983-09-09) September 9, 1983
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 13, 2012, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last appearance
June 5, 2012, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Batting average.143
Hits1
Home Runs0
Runs batted in2
Teams

Michael A. Costanzo (born September 9, 1983) is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds.

Amateur career

Costanzo played college baseball for Coastal Carolina University, and was named an All-American in his junior year. In 2003, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bethesda Big Train of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League and was the team's MVP.[1] In 2004, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2][3]

Professional career

Costanzo was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies pick #65 in the second round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft.[4] In 2005, Costanzo reported to Short-season A ball for the Batavia Muckdogs. In 2006, Costanzo spends the season in High-A in Clearwater, where he is named Florida State League's Top defensive 3rd baseman.

2007 Costanzo is promoted to AA-Reading Phillies in the Eastern League and hits 27 Home runs with 86 RBI and is selected to the Eastern League All-Star game. He is selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for top prospects.

On November 7, 2007, Costanzo, along with Michael Bourn and Geoff Geary, is traded to the Houston Astros for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett.[5][6] On December 12, 2007, he was traded for the second time in 34 days to the Baltimore Orioles along with Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate for Miguel Tejada.[7][8] The Orioles released him on April 2, 2010.[9] He signed with the Cincinnati Reds on May 13, 2010.[10]

Costanzo is called up to the majors with the Cincinnati Reds for the first time on May 12, 2012.[11] In his first Major League at bat, he hit a sacrifice fly to left field, which scored Ryan Hanigan from third base. On May 19, 2012, Costanzo got his first Major League Hit off of New York Yankees pitcher Iván Nova. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter retrieved the baseball and tossed it into the Reds dugout.

On June 6, he was optioned back to Triple-A Louisville. On August 1, Costanzo was designated for assignment.[12]

Costanzo was inducted into the Coastal Carolina University Hall of Fame in fall of 2012.

On December 28, 2012, he signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals.[13] Costanzo was released by the Nationals in June 2013 and was signed by the Cincinnati Reds.

Costanzo represented Team Italy in the 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classic.

After spending all of 2014 with the Cincinnati Reds AAA affiliate the Louisville Bats, Costanzo signed with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in the following offseason. It is his second stint with the Camden Riversharks, he also played with the team during the 2010 season.

Personal

Costanzo currently owns The Mike Costanzo Farmers Insurance Agency in Springfield, Pennsylvania.

References

  1. ↑ "Bethesda Big Train Major Leaguers".
  2. ↑ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  3. ↑ "2004 Hyannis Mets". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  4. ↑ Phils select third baseman Costanzo
  5. ↑ "Astros acquire Bourn, Costanzo, Geary from Philadelphia". Archived from the original on 2012-02-25. Retrieved 2012-05-14.
  6. ↑ Lidge goes to Phillies from Astros for Bourn, Geary
  7. ↑ Orioles trade Miguel Tejada to Astros, receive five players in return
  8. ↑ With trade, Tejada gets change of scenery he wanted; Orioles restock roster
  9. ↑ Costanzo released
  10. ↑ Mike Costanzo to Report to Cincinnati Reds Affiliate Organization
  11. ↑ Rolen lands on DL with ailing shoulder
  12. ↑ Mesoraco to 7-day DL, Navarro called up Archived 2012-08-05 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ Contract length sticking point with LaRoche, Nats
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