Happy Trails Rocco Baldelli

Rocco Baldelli never really got to have a chance to have the career that he could have.  His career cut short by a rare neuromuscular disease.  He was one of the Rays I can remember from back when they were the Devil Rays.  One of the few guys one could name from those terrible pre-Longoria pre-Price days.
    

2011 Phungo #5 Rocco Baldelli

Team Phungo has been very lucky to see a couple of big moments in Baldelli's career.  The photo on the Phungo card above was taken shortly after Baldelli hit his last career Home Run off Orioles reliever Mike Gonzalez. 

I also got to see Baldelli's final post season At-Bat.  A Game tying Home Run in the7th inning of the 5th game of the 2008 World Series.  Fortunately Pat Burrell and Pedro Feliz would got a pair of key hits in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead and clinch the Series.


Baldelli will always be one of my favorite non-Phils and I am glad that I got to see some of his big moments.  I am glad to hear he is staying in baseball and hope he can help out the Rays in his new roll as a member of their front office.