Vinny Rottino

Playing career

Milwaukee Brewers

Rottino originally signed with the Milwaukee Brewers as an undrafted free agent on February 3, 2003. In his fourth year with the Brewers organization, he made his major league debut as a September call up in . He played in nine games and batted .214.

Rottino began the season in Triple-A with the Nashville Sounds. He spent nearly the entire season there before being recalled by Milwaukee on September 1. On September 29, , Rottino hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th inning to beat the San Diego Padres 4–3 and clinch the first winning season for the Brewers since .

He repeated most of his previous season's fashion in 2008, playing most of the season at Triple-A, then receiving a call-up in September.

Rottino was the starting catcher for Team Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

In 2009, Rottino accepted an assignment to Double-A Huntsville.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 31, 2009, Rottino was traded by the Brewers to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Claudio Vargas.

Florida Marlins

On February 8, 2010, Rottino signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins. In 121 appearances split between the Double-A Jacksonville Suns and Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs, he batted .308/.390/.438 with eight home runs, 70 RBI, and 23 stolen bases. Rottino elected free agency following the season on November 6.

On November 24, 2010, Rottino re-signed with the Marlins organization on a minor league contract. On September 6, 2011, the Marlins selected Rottino's contract, adding him to their active roster. In 8 games for Miami, his first time in the majors since 2008, he went 2-for-12 (.167) with 2 walks. On October 5, Rottino was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A New Orleans.

New York Mets

On November 16, 2011, Rottino signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. On May 4, 2012, Rottino got called up to the Mets after Chris Schwinden was sent down to Triple-A Buffalo. On May 26, Rottino hit his first career home run against the San Diego Padres' Clayton Richard. He hit another home run on May 28, against Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies. In 18 total games for the Mets, Rottino went 6-for-33 (.182) with two home runs, five RBI, and three stolen bases. On June 25, Rottino was designated for assignment to make room on the Mets' roster for Justin Hampson.

Cleveland Indians

On June 27, 2012, Rottino was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians. On August 1, Rottino was recalled by the Indians when Travis Hafner was placed on paternity leave. He had been hitting .299 with four home runs and 32 RBI with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. In 18 games for Cleveland, Rottino went 3-for-27 (.107) with one home run, two RBI, and one stolen base. On October 31, Rottino was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Columbus. However, he subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency the next day.

Orix Buffaloes

On November 30, 2012, Rottino signed a one-year $350,000 contract with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball. In 37 games for the Buffaloes in 2013, he hit .206/.297/.381 with four home runs and eight RBI.

Nexen Heroes

On December 11, 2013, Rottino signed a one-year, $300,000 contract with the Nexen Heroes of the KBO League. In 79 games for the Heroes in 2014, Rottino batted .306/.389/.417 with two home runs and 22 RBI.

Miami Marlins

On December 24, 2014, Rottino signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. He made 127 appearances for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs, slashing .266/.346/.390 with 10 home runs and 51 RBI. Rottino elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2015.

Chicago White Sox

On February 3, 2016, Rottino signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox organization. In 78 appearances for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, he batted .208/.321/.279 with three home runs and 25 RBI. On September 9, it was announced that Rottino had decided to retire from professional baseball.

Post-playing career

Rottino currently is a part of the Milwaukee Brewers television team for FanDuel Sports Wisconsin, alternating as a pre-game/post-game analyst during home games, and as a color commentator on game broadcasts in place of Bill Schroeder on road trips.

Personal life

Rottino resides in Racine, Wisconsin with his wife, Maggie Rottino, and their three daughters.

References

References

1. "Vinny Rottino". Thebaseballcube.com.
2. Baseball-Reference.com. "Vinny Rottino Statistics and History". Sports Reference.
3. "Vinny Rottino Minor League Statistics & History". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
4. Tom Haudricourt. "Brewers trade for King, call up Rivera". [[Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]].
5. "September 29, 2007 San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score and Play by Play". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
6. Adam McCalvy. (October 2024). "Brewers ponder September callups". Major League Baseball Advanced Media.
7. Lisa Winston. (February 27, 2009). "Batting Around with Vinny Rottino". Major League Baseball Advanced Media.
8. "Dodgers trade RHP Claudio Vargas to Brewers". Cbs58.com.
9. "Odds & Ends: Oeltjen, Hensley, Gload, Halladay".
10. "Minor League Transactions".
11. "Outrighted To Triple-A: Astros, Rottino, Sanches, Cubs".
12. Rubin, Adam. "Rottino, Pascucci on board with Mets". [[Espn.com]].
13. "Mets Designate Vinny Rottino For Assignment".
14. "Indians claim INF/OF Vinny Rottino off outright waivers from the New York Mets". Major League Baseball Advanced Media.
15. "Outrighted To Triple-A: Slowey, Rottino, Kelly".
16. "Minor Moves: Rottino, Head, Neal".
17. Polishuk, Mark. (December 24, 2014). "Minor Moves: Mijares, Bowden, Runzler". mlbtraderumors.com.
18. "Minor MLB Transactions: 2/3/16".
19. "Brewers Broadcasters {{!}} Milwaukee Brewers".