Close

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo grew up in Chicago hearing stories from his father, the legendary scout Phil Rizzo, about Italian sports icons like Joe DiMaggio and Rocky Marciano. Now the younger Rizzo will take his place alongside DiMaggio, Marciano and other greats from his ethnic heritage when he is inducted Friday night into th...

1223

No matter how successful he’s become or how much he’s accomplished in his professional career, Salem’s Sean Stellato has always stayed true to his roots. Whether he’s taking a trip down memory lane on his former high school playing surface — the one and only Bertram Field — or visiting his grandmother’s grave to continue to honor her legacy, the 45...

1198

Some people call him Jerry Maguire. Others, the Italian Stallion. He’s a sports agent, father, husband, former professional athlete, and, now, a member of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Marblehead’s Sean Stellato, President of SES Sports, was inducted unanimously. The prized NFL agent joins the ranks of sports icons Dan Marino,...

592

After more than 30 years in car racing, Chip Ganassi boasts an impressive resume. The team he owns has won the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, Rolex 24 at Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 64-year-old is owner and CEO of Chip Ganassi Racing, which operates teams in the IndyCar Series, WeatherTech SportsCar Cham...

662

The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame will host its 44th annual gala and induction ceremony on Feb. 17 at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village. This year’s inductees will be LPGA champion Missie Bereotti, Pro Football Hall of Famer Alan Faneca, Henry Repeating Arms Founder and CEO Anthony Imperato, White Sox legend Paul Konerko and W...

654

Italian American baseball broadcaster Joe Castiglione has been named as a finalist for the Ford Frick Award by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Castiglione has been the voice of the Boston Red Sox since 1983. The winner of the 2023 Frick Award will be announced on Dec. 7 at baseball’s Winter Meetings in San Diego and will be honored during the J...

590

Before every bout, boxer Dave Tiberi meditated on the same Biblical verse: “I can do ALL through Christ, who strengthens me.” He often does so today, 30 years after his last fight, a fight that Boxing News called “the great robbery” and “one of the most infamous decisions in boxing history.” “I believe God has me in the community to be a light, and...

877

Jim Restauri is an Altoona native, a former State College resident, a former walk-on for Penn State football and a past national boxing champion. Now, the fourth generation Italian American is set to be inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Chapter, on Aug. 4 at the LeMont Restaurant in Pittsburgh. “It means a...

843

The Padres welcomed the 16th and 17th members of the team’s Hall of Fame on Thursday evening as longtime broadcaster Ted Leitner and former CEO Larry Lucchino were inducted during a pregame ceremony at Petco Park. “This is the single greatest honor of my professional life,” Leitner told the fans before the Padres’ series opener against the Gi...

638

Next to his hall of fame career, New York Yankees legend Yogi Berra is best known for his humorous quotes and phrases. His most notable line, "It ain't over 'til it's over." But the All-Star catcher and St. Louis native is also a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II. He was aboard the USS Bayfield as it made its way into Utah Beach on J...

706