Former Italian / American Mets Player: Vinny Rottino (2012)

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Vincent Antonio Rottino was born April 7, 1980 in Racine, Wisconsin. After attending the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, Wisconsin he was signed by the hometown Milwaukee Brewers in 2003.

The six foot one right hand hitter, is a versatile fielder who  plays outfield, third base, first base & catcher. Rottino was called up in September 2006, debuting as a pinch hitter on September 1st against the Florida Marlins. and only played in 25 games over three seasons (5-25 with a .208 average).

In 2007 he helped the Milwaukee Brewers clinch their first winning season in 15 years.Even though he appeared in only eight regular season games that season, he had a key pinch hit  on the next to last day of the season. 

Rottino came in to pitch hit against the San Diego Padres; Joe Thatcher, in the bottom of the 12th inning with two men on. He singled with a weak grounder through the left side of the infield and drove in the winning run, helping the Bwers clinch a playoff berth.

In 2009 Rottino was the starting catcher for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

In July of 2009 he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization then to the Florida Marlins. In 2010 he played in the Pacific Coast League & hit .307 for the Marlins AAA team. He saw action in eight games for the Marlins that season as well.

In November 2011 he signed as a free agent with the New York Mets. He debuted as a Met on May 4th & went hitless as a pinch hitter in a 5-4 loss to Arizona. On May 26th, at age 32, he hit his first career HR in a 9-0 Mets win over the San Diego Padres. In his next game two days later he homered again, this time off the Phillies Cole Hamels.

Rottino's career in New York was short, he gathered up two more hits with RBIs in June, including a June 10th RBI single in the subway series loss across town in the Bronx.

At the end of June he was placed on waivers after 18 games, batting .182 with two HRs one double, five RBIs & a .308 on base %. In late 2012 he was picked by the Cleveland Indians &hit .107 in 18 games.

Rottino retired at the end of the season. In ten minor league seasons he was a .294 hitter with 82 HRs 598 & RBIs in 1140 games. In his five year MLB career he batted .165 with 16 hits three HRs & 11 RBIs.


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