It’s the end of an era for Italian baseball: the three games played this weekend by Alex Liddi in Dubai for the UAE Series were the last of his incredible career. The player born in 1988, the first athlete born and raised in Italy to play in the Major League in 2011 with the Seattle Mariners and to win the Caribbean Series in 2016 with the Venados de Mazatlán, has announced that he has definitively hung up his glove.
“For me, the time has come to finally say enough about playing baseball and spending more time with my family,” Liddi said. “It’s a decision that comes from within, maybe also because I’m no longer hitting as hard as I used to (he laughs). I think I’m ready for a new chapter in my life that includes both baseball – in a different way than before – and some projects with my wife that we want to develop. Mine has been an unforgettable journey that has made me realize my dream of playing in the Major League and other fascinating and important championships. I am very proud to have represented Italy in many international events, often achieving excellent results. I greet and thank all the people involved, such as coaches and teammates I have met on this journey and, above all, the many fans who have always supported me.”
Liddi wore the Italy uniform on 62 occasions, including in the three World Baseball Classics in 2009, 2013, and 2017. In particular, in 2013, he was one of the faces of the historic qualification for the second phase of the event, thanks to victories against Mexico and Canada.
Born in Sanremo, Liddi signed his first contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2006, becoming the first athlete born and raised in Italy to debut in the Major League in September 2011. The Italian third baseman then played for two more seasons in MLB for 61 games overall, with a batting average of .208 for six home runs and 16 runs batted in.
Subsequently, he played in Triple-A with the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Kansas City Royals, as well as in Mexico with the Tigres de Quintana, Toros de Tijuana, and Leones de Yucatan. His international career also included winning the Serie del Caribe with the Venados de Mazatlán and having experience in the Chinese Professional Baseball League with the Chinatrust Brothers. Liddi has worn the ParmaClima jersey in the last two years, crowning his career with a victory in the Serie A championship a few months ago.
“On behalf of myself, the entire Federal Council, and the entire Movement, I can only thank Alex for his extraordinary career,” said Federal President Marco Mazzieri. “In addition to the results achieved on the field, I want to thank Liddi for his role as the standard-bearer of our movement, which he has been able to play on and off the field at a very high level for over 20 years. I have known Alex since he was practically a child, and I have had the pleasure of coaching him on many occasions as manager of Italy. He has many beautiful memories that I will always carry with me. I trust that, as he did as a player, he can also bring his contribution to our sport in the future, in another role.”
-By Daniele Mattioli with Chris R. Vaccaro
Photo Credit: FIBS / K73/Oldmangency
