- Photo: Chris Trotman – Getty Images North America
The stories of the spring have been surrounded around the injuries of Ike Davis, Daniel Murphy, Lucas Duda and all the drama with Rubin Tejada, plus all the news with the current pitching staff and future studs on the mound.
But each spring there always seems to be one story that stands out from the rest, and doesn’t get much fan fare, but truly a story worth sharing.
Back in early March, Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com, wrote a great post about Anthony Seratelli’s journey and how his father’s sudden passing back in February of 2011, fueled his desires to not only reach the major leagues but dedicate his journey in his father, Russell Seratelli’ memory. It is truly a must read.
Anthony Seratelli, 31, who is a native of New Jersey, has played in the minor leagues for the past eight seasons without ever making it into a regular season, major league game. But even though his journey has been long and with some adversity, it has’t deterred him from continuing to follow his dreams.
The utility infielder, spent the 2013 season with the Kansas City Royal’s Triple-A affiliate and batted .273/.395/.413, with 17 doubles, 11 home runs, 41 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 77 walks in 487 plate appearances. In his eight minor league seasons he has compiled a .276 batting average, with 67 home runs and 382 RBI, which makes me wonder, why he hasn’t gotten some sort of opportunity to make the major league roster or even a call up when rosters expanded in September’s past. But things happen for a reason and it would be great for the younger Seratelli to make his major league debut with the Mets in front of family and friends.
Having a versatile ball player is always a plus on any team and Terry Collins looks at Seratelli as someone worth keeping, “He can play any position, he can switch-hit, he can run. That’s nice to have a guy like that on the bench.”
At Friday’s spring training game in Fort Myers against the Minnesota Twins, I witnessed Collins taking a moment, while Seratelli was waiting to take his turn in the batting cage, and gave him pointers on how to approach each at bat. I am sure Seratelli appreciated the skipper taking the time to share his opinion with him.
- Photo by MetsMinors.net
Anthony Seratelli’s journey has family and friends waiting anxiously for the opportunity to celebrate him making the team and even though it can be nerve racking and keeps them on the edge, they know how important it would be for him when he actually breaks camp with the Mets, “It would simply mean a lot because he has been extremely committed and has worked so hard every step of the way,” his mother Victoria Seratelli shared with me.
Anthony Seratelli’s journey is a story worth keeping tabs on and this coming week, the Mets will finally trim down their roster to be ready for Opening Day. The hope is that he is one of the 25-men that get to travel back up North to Citi Field and finally make all those years of playing hard and dreaming, all worth it. It will also bring great joy to a family that have supported his journey and been with him every step of the way. If all goes as planned, this will be another chapter added to his life and a new beginning in the major leagues.
