Rutgers Alum Zoccolillo to Compete in World Baseball Classic
Feb 07 | Baseball
PISCATAWAY, NJ - Former Rutgers baseball All-American Pete Zoccolillo will join a number of Major League Baseball All-Stars in next month's World Baseball Classic. Zocolillo, who starred at Rutgers from 1996-1999, was selected to play for the Italian team in next month's event. The tournament will pit the best baseball players from around the globe against one another, from March 3-20.
“This is a great opportunity,” said Zoccolillo. “I am excited to be selected to play in this prestigious tournament and represent the country of my family's heritage. I will play against the best players in the world. It is a great experience that is run by the best in the business.”
The first round of the Classic will take place at five different sites, including the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan; Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan Puerto Rico; Cracker Jack Stadium in Orlando, FL; Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ; and Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, AZ. Teams advancing to the second round will play at either Hiram Bithorn Stadium or Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA, with the semifinals and championship game taking place at PETCO Park in San Diego, CA.
Zoccolillo, who has spent this winter working out at both Rutgers and a facility in Randolph, NJ, will travel to Florida to join his Italian team for an abbreviated training at the Detroit Tigers facility, beginning February 21. The Italian team will play an exhibition game against the Tigers on March 3 as a final tune-up before opening play in the World Baseball Classic.
He is part of an Italian team that includes David Dellucci , Mike Piazza, Frank Catalanotto, Matt Mantei and Mike DiFelice, among others with Major League Baseball experience.
Zoccolillo, who played for the St. Louis Cardinals' Class AAA affiliate Memphis Redbirds last summer, recently signed a free agent contract with the Colorado Rockies and will report to spring training with the club in Arizona once his duties at the World Baseball Classic are completed. He made his major league debut during the 2003 season, playing in 20 games with the Milwaukee Brewers. Zoccolillo was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs following the 1999 season and was traded to the Brewers in 2001.
“The event will be heavily scouted and I am hoping to open some eyes with my play,” Zoccolillo added. “I will be playing on the center stage of the world.”
At Rutgers, Zoccolillo was a three-time All-BIG EAST First Team honoree and a two-time All-American. He graduated as the team's career or single-season leader in 10 offensive categories and still leads in career RBI (191) and single-season RBI (72). He posted a .376 career batting average at Rutgers and is second all-time in hits (285) and home runs (32). As a senior in 1999, Zoccolillo batted .418 with 22 doubles, 12 home runs and 72 RBI.
“I am proud to represent Rutgers on an international stage,” said Zoccolillo. “I am still close with several of my former teammates there and remain close with the coaching staff. A lot of Rutgers players have been drafted since I was there and many guys are having success in the professional ranks.”
