Gregory Peter Biagini (March 12, 1952 – October 3, 2003) was an American player, coach and manager in minor league baseball and a hitting coach for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). During his playing career, he was listed at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 220 pounds (100 kg), while batting left-handed and throwing right-handed.
| Greg Biagini | |
|---|---|
| File:Greg Biagini.jpg | |
| First baseman / Hitting coach | |
| Born: March 12, 1952 Chicago, Illinois | |
| Died: October 3, 2003 (aged 51) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
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Career
A native of Chicago, Biagini attended Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois, then played varsity baseball, football and ice hockey at Iowa State University. He was selected in the 12th round in the 1973 MLB draft by the Montreal Expos.
During his ten-season professional baseball career, 1973–1982, Biagini played in the farm systems of Montreal and the Seattle Mariners, and also in the Mexican League. Primarily a first baseman, he also made appearances as an outfielder, third baseman, catcher, and one game as a second baseman.
Biagini turned his hand to managing in 1983 with the Bluefield Orioles of the rookie-level Appalachian League. He managed in the minor leagues for 14 seasons (1983–1991; 1995–1999) for Baltimore and the Texas Rangers, compiling a record of 937 wins and 933 defeats (a .501 winning percentage). Two of his teams won Triple-A-level championships; the 1990 Rochester Red Wings of the International League and the 1996 Oklahoma City 89ers of the American Association.
Biagini spent three seasons (1992–1994) in the American League as the major league hitting coach for the Orioles during the managerial term of Johnny Oates. Biagini was later the minor league hitting coordinator of the Boston Red Sox during 2000–2001.
Biagini died in 2003 at age 51 from kidney cancer in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[1]
Sources
- Obituary from historicbaseball.com
- Boston Red Sox 2001 Media Guide
References
- ^ Hersom, Bob (October 4, 2003). "Ex-manager dies of cancer". The Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. p. 26. Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- BR Bullpen
- Coach's page at Retrosheet
- Greg Biagini at Find a Grave