Angelo Lipetri

From BR Bullpen

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Michael Angelo Lipetri

  • Bats Right, Throws Right
  • Height 6' 1½", Weight 180 lb.

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Biographical Information[edit]

Right-hander Angelo Lipetri made ten appearances out of the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen in trials in 1956 and 1958. The Brooklyn-born pitcher recalled his major league debut: "I pitched the 9th inning against Pittsburgh in 1956 and struck out the side.... Dick Groat, Roberto Clemente and Dale Long, who hit a home run earlier for the seventh straight game during his record streak."

Angelo's performance in his two chances with the Shibe Park boys consisted of 10 appearances with no decisions, a 5.40 ERA, but he did fan 9 batters in 15 innings.

Lipetri also spent nine seasons in the minors after being signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies in 1950. He started out as a middle infielder in 1950 but his .197 batting average in 89 games didn't draw much attention and he turned to the pitcher's mound. In a three-year period (1953-1955), he won 38 games with only 18 losses and a 3.16 ERA, so that's where he stayed. The fact is he never had a losing season during his seven-year minor league pitching run. His best effort was by far his first, when he went 15-2 with the Granby Phillies of the Provincial League with a 3.00 ERA in 26 appearances.

Angelo's nice run in the minors, 49-29 with a 3.19 ERA in 188 appearances, made him into one not shy to share his thoughts and here are a couple of his that are worth thinking about. He talked about pitching out of the same bullpen with Satchel Paige for the Miami Marlins of the International League in 1957. "Satch was an amazing man. He had to be past 50, but when we ran wind sprints he would outrun all the guys who were in their twenties, including myself."

Lipetri also likes to talk about his attempted comeback. "I hurt my arm and was out of baseball for a couple of years when I tried to make a comeback with the New York Mets in 1962. Cookie Lavagetto was warming me up and we both thought I was throwing the ball pretty good. But Casey Stengel came along and said we've already got too many old guys."

Angelo was a criminal court officer for New York State in Nassau County for 25 years, retiring in 1993 in Farmingdale, NY.

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