As an integral member of the Team Italy pitching staff in three World Baseball Classics (2006, 2009, and 2013), Jason Grilli was known for his fighting Azzurri spirit every time he took the ball on the mound. He made his Team Italy pitching debut on March 7, 2006 in the 10-0 shutout overAustralia at the inaugural World Baseball Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

With National Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza behind the plate, starting pitcher Jason Grilli picked up the win after allowing just one hit with 7 strikeouts in his 4.2 innings of work.     Over a decade earlier, teenager Jason Grilli was making a name for himself in Central New York.