It was fitting that Samuel Aldegheri entered the field to the theme song from “Rocky III” for his major league debut with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night against the Seattle Mariners.
The 22-year-old left-hander, who became the first player born and raised in Italy to pitch in the majors, warmed up to Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.”
Aldegheri hoped to match the success of Rocky “The Italian Stallion” Balboa, but he had a rough start before making a comeback.
He allowed five unearned runs in the first inning but managed to complete five innings. Aldegheri gave up seven runs, though only two were earned. He gave up seven hits, including a two-run homer to Julio Rodriguez in the fourth inning, along with two walks and three strikeouts.
“I had a little bit of a hard time, but I bounced back pretty good. I’m happy,” Aldegheri said after the Angels lost 9-5 to the Mariners. “First time I was kind of nervous, but I’m happy.”
Aldegheri is the fifth Italian-born pitcher to reach the majors and the first since Marino Pieretti, who played for three teams during a six-year career that ended with Cleveland in 1950. Pieretti and three pitchers before him moved to the United States as children.
Alex Liddi was the first player born and raised in Italy to make it to the majors. The infielder played in 61 games for Seattle from 2011-13.
Fans in Italy were able to watch the game on Apple TV, as it was one of the two games featured on “Friday Night Baseball.”
Aldegheri mentioned that the past 24 hours have been a whirlwind since he learned of his promotion to the big leagues. His family quickly flew to the United States and arrived at the ballpark with two outs in the first inning.
After the game, Aldegheri spent a lot of time on the field with his family before heading into the clubhouse.
“Two months ago I was playing High-A, a month ago I was with another organization and now I’m here in the bigs with the Angels,” he said. “Everything, it’s weird.”
Aldegheri, who is the eighth Italian-born player to make it to the majors, was one of the prospects the Angels acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies when they traded reliever Carlos Estévez on July 27.
In four starts with Double-A Rocket City after the trade, Aldegheri was 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA.
He began the season with Jersey Shore, Philadelphia’s High-A team, before moving up to Double-A Reading in early July. He has a 6-5 record with a 3.59 ERA in 19 minor-league games this season.
Aldegheri started his professional career with Parmaclima Baseball Club in the Italian Serie A1 before being signed by the Phillies as an international free agent in 2019.
“I’m happy for myself, my family, but also for my country and the kids. I just showed them everybody can make it, so they have to believe in their dreams,” he said.
Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza, who managed Italy in the World Baseball Classic in 2023, was pleased to hear about Aldegheri’s promotion and wished him “in boca al lupo.” This Italian phrase means “into the wolf’s mouth,” but it is used to wish good luck.
Piazza now lives in Parma, Italy, and is working to help baseball grow in a country where soccer remains the most popular sport.
In a text message to The Associated Press, Piazza said baseball was introduced to Italy by American servicemen during World War II and has had varying levels of popularity.
“The entire country of Italy is extremely proud and excited for the debut of Samuel. With his success we hope to start a new chapter of popularity and player development,” Piazza said.
