Marino Pieretti – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Marino Pieretti holds a pretty unique spot in baseball history as one of just seven major league players born in Italy during baseball’s golden age. He was born in Lucca, Italy, in 1920, but his family moved to San Francisco while he was still an infant. Even though he was small, Pieretti grew up with big dreams of playing professional baseball. He pitched for six seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1945 to 1950, with the Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox, and Cleveland Indians, then retired at just 29.

At only 5’7″ and 158 pounds, Pieretti faced early rejection from the San Francisco Seals. But he didn’t let that stop him, and in 1945, he became a 14-game winner as a rookie with Washington.

His path from Italian immigrant to major league pitcher really feels like a classic American success story from baseball’s post-war era. He picked up the nickname “Chick” after a doctor removed a chicken bone from his throat early in his career.

Let’s take a look at Pieretti’s life, from the sandlots of San Francisco and his minor league grind to his time in the majors. Along the way, you’ll find stories about his friendship with Joe DiMaggio, his odd jobs playing accordion at Italian weddings, and how he kept shaping youth baseball in Northern California long after he hung up his cleats in 1950.

Early Life and Background

Marino Paul Pieretti’s journey from a Tuscan village to Major League Baseball started with his family chasing the American dream. He was born into an immigrant family in Tuscany, and his early years were marked by his parents’ bold decision to cross the Atlantic. The Italian-American community in San Francisco was already rich with baseball tradition.

Birth and Family Origins

Marino Paul Pieretti entered the world on September 23, 1920, in Marlia, a small village in Tuscany, Italy. He was the second child of Virgilio and Armanda Pieretti.

Virgilio, his father, had already started the family’s move to America. He arrived in New York City in July 1920, just two months before Marino was born.

Like so many Italian immigrants, Virgilio wanted to get settled before sending for his wife and kids.

He headed out to San Francisco and found work as a carpenter. This steady job laid the groundwork for the family’s new life in the States.

Immigration to the United States

In August 1921, when Marino was only a year old, his mother Armanda brought him and his older brother Augustino across the Atlantic. The family reunited in San Francisco after more than a year apart.

That kind of family separation was pretty common among Italian immigrants back then. Dads would go first, get a job, and then send for the rest.

Their arrival put them among thousands of Italians changing the face of San Francisco in those years.

Growing Up in San Francisco

The Pierettis eventually settled in San Francisco’s North Beach District, known as “Little Italy.” This neighborhood played a huge role in shaping Marino’s life.

He tried out a bunch of sports as a kid, but baseball was the one that really stuck. San Francisco’s baseball scene was lively, especially among Italian-American families.

Virgilio wasn’t thrilled about Marino’s baseball obsession. He wanted his son to be a professional musician and even paid for accordion lessons.

But Armanda once caught Marino skipping music lessons to play baseball. She stormed onto the field, dragged him out of the batter’s box, and marched him straight to his accordion teacher.

Influence of North Beach Italian Community

North Beach had already produced some serious baseball talent. Frankie Crosetti, Joe DiMaggio, and Tony Lazzeri all grew up in the same neighborhood and went to Galileo High School, which was famous for its baseball program.

This tradition inspired a lot of Italian-American boys, including Pieretti. The neighborhood’s success stories made it seem possible to reach the majors.

Galileo High School was where Marino went, but his time with the baseball team was rough. Despite the school’s reputation, Pieretti got cut from the team more than once because he was small.

Still, the North Beach community kept baseball alive year-round with sandlot and semipro leagues. Pieretti played constantly, getting better even if the high school team didn’t want him.

Amateur and Semi-Pro Baseball Beginnings

Marino Pieretti’s road to pro baseball wasn’t easy. Coaches kept rejecting him because of his size, but San Francisco’s amateur scene gave him a chance to shine.

He didn’t let high school disappointments stop him and started making a name for himself in local sandlot leagues.

High School Baseball Experiences

Pieretti felt the sting of rejection at Galileo High School, which was known for producing big league players. The coach cut him from the team several times, saying he was too small at 5’7″.

It must have hurt, especially since Crosetti, DiMaggio, and Lazzeri had all gone there and made it.

Even with those setbacks, Pieretti’s love for baseball never faded. His friend Dino Restelli remembered, “We’d go out and play from 9 in the morning to 6 at night. We played three or four games. And Marino played every game.”

Overcoming Initial Rejection

After high school, Pieretti tried out for the local minor league teams. The San Francisco Seals and Oakland Oaks both turned him down between 1938 and 1941.

Oakland’s rejection was especially harsh. Someone told him, “Go home, kid, we don’t need a batboy.”

Scouts didn’t think his 153-pound frame could handle pro pitching.

Pieretti didn’t quit, though. Each rejection just made him more determined.

He started having arm trouble around this time—from pitching so much to prove himself. At one point, he even dislocated his elbow from overuse.

San Francisco Sandlot and Semi-Pro Leagues

Pieretti found his place in San Francisco’s sandlot and semi-pro leagues. These games let him build his skills and reputation.

In 1938, he really stood out. He threw three no-hitters and won 18 straight games for the Sunshine Cleaners team.

He played all year, sometimes in more than one game a day. That grind gave him the stamina and toughness he’d need later.

He once said, “I love baseball like nobody’s business. When I go to bed, I lie awake thinking about it. I dream about it. And when I wake up the next morning, I can eat baseball for breakfast.”

Eventually, his dedication paid off. In 1941, Cincinnati scout Mickey Shader noticed him.

Minor League Career Highlights

Pieretti’s minor league career lasted eleven seasons and showed how far he’d come. His breakout year with Portland in 1944 led straight to the majors, and after his MLB days, he returned to the Pacific Coast League for more solid seasons.

Portland Beavers and Breakout Season

Pieretti kicked off his pro career with the Portland Beavers in the Pacific Coast League. The San Francisco Seals had said he was too small, but Portland gave him a shot.

He spent three years working on his game in the minors. Then, in 1944, everything clicked—he won a league-leading 26 games for the Beavers.

That season got him noticed by big league scouts.

The Washington Senators picked him in the 1944 Rule V Draft on November 1. His 26-win season proved he could pitch, no matter his size.

Pacific Coast League Achievements

After his major league run ended in 1950, Pieretti came back to the Pacific Coast League as a starter. He pitched for several teams over the years.

He returned to the Portland Beavers, then moved to the Sacramento Solons, and also spent time with the Los Angeles Angels.

His minor league stats over eleven seasons were impressive. Pieretti racked up 145 wins and 137 losses with a 3.57 ERA, pitching 2,339 total innings.

Path to Major League Baseball

Pieretti’s success in the minors opened the door to the majors in 1945. That 26-win season with Portland led directly to his selection by Washington.

He wrapped up his minor league career with the Modesto Reds of the California League in 1958. He was 37 when he finally retired from playing.

The jump from minors to majors wasn’t easy, but his years in the Pacific Coast League gave him the foundation he needed. That experience made him a versatile pitcher, ready to start or relieve in the big leagues.

Major League Baseball Career (1945-1950)

Marino Pieretti spent six years in the majors, bouncing between three American League teams. His first year with Washington was his best, and he earned rookie recognition. Later, trades took him to Chicago and Cleveland.

Debut with Washington Senators

Pieretti took the mound for his major league debut on April 19, 1945, at 24 years old. He pitched 12 innings in a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Athletics, even though he gave up 14 hits and three walks.

That complete-game win tied for the second-longest debut in major league history.

Just five days later, he pitched another marathon—12⅔ innings in a 2-1 loss to the Yankees, allowing 10 hits and 11 walks.

Washington surprised a lot of people in 1945, staying in the pennant race until the very end. Pieretti played a big part, finishing with a 14-13 record and a 3.32 ERA in 44 games.

He ranked second in the AL for games pitched and 10th in innings with 233⅓.

His rookie season earned him a spot on The Sporting News all-star freshman team. They called it the best rookie class since 1941.

Key Trades and Team Transitions

After World War II, when the veterans came back, Pieretti’s role shrank. In 1946, he pitched in only 30 games with just two starts, and his ERA jumped to 5.95.

On June 9, 1948, Washington traded him to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Earl Harrist. Washington’s manager, Joe Kuhel, hoped the move would help Pieretti get back on track.

Chicago gave him a fresh start, but his time there was short and not very successful.

After struggling with the White Sox in 1949, Pieretti joined the Cleveland Indians for one last season in 1950. He was 30 when he finished his major league career, having appeared in just 29 games that year.

Notable Games and Milestones

Pieretti had some memorable moments, especially early in his career. Those long outings in 1945 showed his toughness, even if he didn’t have overpowering stuff.

In the 1945 season finale, he pitched a clutch complete-game win over Philadelphia, keeping Washington’s pennant hopes alive. That 4-3 victory proved he could deliver under pressure.

One of the most personal moments came in 1950. Pieretti gave up Joe DiMaggio’s 2,000th career hit. The two had grown up together in San Francisco’s North Beach.

After DiMaggio got the hit, Pieretti walked over to first base and handed him the ball. That gesture said a lot about their lifelong friendship—and about the tight-knit Italian-American baseball community they came from.

Statistical Overview and Role

Pieretti put together a career record of 30-38 with a 4.53 ERA over 194 major league games. He started 68 games and came out of the bullpen for the rest, picking up eight career saves along the way.

Career Statistics Summary:

• Games: 194
• Wins-Losses: 30-38
• ERA: 4.53
• Starts: 68
• Complete Games: Multiple
• Saves: 8

Pieretti struggled with control, often landing among league leaders in walks allowed. His best year was 1945, when he cut his walks down to 3.5 per nine innings, which turned out to be his career low.

At just 5-foot-7 and 153 pounds, Pieretti leaned on his fastball more than anything else. Joe DiMaggio once said if Pieretti “had ever had a curveball, he would have won 20 games every year.” Maybe he was right.

Post-Retirement Life and Legacy

Pieretti finished his major league career in 1950, but he didn’t hang up his spikes right away. He kept pitching in the Pacific Coast League for several more years and became a familiar face in youth coaching circles all over California.

His real impact came from working with younger players and helping them grow.

Return to the Pacific Coast League

Pieretti’s time in baseball stretched beyond his 1950 exit from the majors. In 1951, Cleveland sold him back to Portland, where he’d already picked up 26 wins in 1944.

He found his groove again in the PCL. Pieretti racked up 34 wins over two seasons with Portland from 1951 to 1952.

In 1953, Portland traded him to Sacramento along with Joe Brovia for Glenn Elliott and Orval Grove.

Sacramento saw more of Pieretti’s success. He posted win totals of 12, 16, and 19 games in three seasons there. That 19-win year in 1955? It made some major league scouts take notice.

The Philadelphia Phillies bought his contract in December 1955. The deal didn’t pan out, though. The Phillies sent him back to Sacramento in April 1956, and Sacramento quickly sold him to the Los Angeles Angels.

Youth Coaching and Community Involvement

While finishing up his playing days in Los Angeles, Pieretti started coaching. He began working with younger players in 1956, even before he stopped pitching.

He coached at several lower minor league stops around California. People remembered Pieretti for his patience and the way he connected with developing players.

After he stopped playing, Pieretti stayed in California. He poured his energy into local youth baseball and earned respect throughout the baseball community.

Recognition and Tributes

Pieretti stands out as one of only eight big leaguers born in Italy. Being from Lucca, Tuscany, put him in a pretty rare club.

His legacy isn’t just about stats. Pieretti made a real difference in California baseball, especially with youth development.

At 5’7″, he showed that size doesn’t always matter in pro baseball. People knew him as “Chick,” a nickname that stuck and came to mean grit and determination.

Personal Life and Final Years

After he left pro ball in 1950, Marino Pieretti moved back to San Francisco and settled in with his family. He passed away on January 30, 1981, at age 60. Folks in his adopted hometown still remember his legacy.

Family and Hobbies

Pieretti married Flora Maeso in December 1941, and they raised four kids together. Their marriage lasted almost forty years, right up until his death.

Baseball stayed close to his heart his whole life. Even after retiring, he stayed active in San Francisco’s baseball community. He loved swapping stories from his playing days and kept up with the sport.

Pieretti also kept close ties to his Italian heritage. Growing up in San Francisco’s North Beach, or “Little Italy,” shaped who he was.

That “Chick” nickname? It stuck long after he stopped pitching. He got it during spring training when a doctor had to remove a chicken bone from his throat.

Life in San Francisco

After baseball, Pieretti made San Francisco his permanent home. His family had moved there from Italy when he was just a year old.

He became a beloved figure in North Beach. Fans and friends formed the “Friends of Marino Pieretti” group, and it stayed active for years after he died.

The group’s staying power says a lot about how much San Francisco loves baseball. Pieretti’s story struck a chord with people who admired his fight to overcome the odds.

His size and Italian roots made him a source of pride in the local Italian-American community. He proved that heart and skill could matter more than height.

Passing and Resting Place

Marino Pieretti passed away on January 30, 1981, when he was 60. That day closed out a remarkable journey—he went from being an immigrant kid to pitching in the big leagues.

He found his final resting place in San Francisco, the city he’d called home for almost his whole life. Baseball fans sometimes visit the cemetery to pay their respects to the determined pitcher.

His grave marker shows both names: Marino and “Chick” Pieretti. It’s a small nod to the nickname that stuck with him all through his career.

People in San Francisco’s baseball community still honor his memory. His story? It’s still inspiring young players who wonder if they’re too small or come from the wrong background.