Dave Silvestri – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dave Silvestri, a versatile infielder from the 1990s, took a winding path through baseball that led him from the minors to the Olympics and, finally, to the majors. Silvestri wrapped up his professional career in 1999, playing his last three games with the Anaheim Angels on May 16, 1999, at age 31. That last appearance capped off an eight-year run in the big leagues, including a stint with the New York Yankees.

Silvestri never really became a household name, but his defensive chops at shortstop and third base stood out. Over his career from 1989 to 1999, he logged 702 games at shortstop and 225 at third base. Not many players can say they’ve competed in the Olympics, but Silvestri pulled that off too, adding a unique highlight to his journey.

His baseball story actually got started well before his 1992 MLB debut. He began working his way up from the minors in 1989. Silvestri’s stats in the majors might not jump off the page, but his grit and steady glove kept him around for nearly a decade. You’ll find his name among the American League players who retired in 1999.

Dave Silvestri’s Baseball Career Overview

Dave Silvestri built an MLB career that lasted eight seasons, from 1992 to 1999. He bounced around a few organizations, mostly as an infielder known for his defensive skills.

Early Beginnings and Development

Born September 29, 1967, in St. Louis, Missouri, Silvestri started honing his game at the University of Missouri. He picked up the skills that would eventually land him in pro ball.

The Houston Astros picked Silvestri in the second round of the 1988 MLB draft, 52nd overall. That kicked off his professional career, though he never actually played in the majors for Houston.

He spent a few seasons grinding in the minor leagues. After a trade sent him to the New York Yankees, Silvestri kept working at his craft as an infielder. His reliable defense and improving bat eventually earned him a shot at the big leagues.

Major League Baseball Debut

Silvestri finally made his MLB debut on April 27, 1992, with the New York Yankees. After years of minor league battles, reaching the majors had to feel like a real payoff.

He bounced between teams as a professional infielder. Besides the Yankees, he suited up for the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, and Anaheim Angels.

Silvestri never really settled in as a regular starter, but he found his place as a utility infielder. His ability to play multiple spots and his steady glove kept him in demand for teams needing infield depth.

He wrapped up his MLB career in 1999, closing the book on his time in the majors after eight seasons. Silvestri’s perseverance kept him in the mix at baseball’s top level.

Notable Teams and Playing Tenure

From 1992 to 1999, Dave Silvestri played for five different MLB teams, mostly as an infielder.

Time with the Angels

Silvestri landed with the Anaheim Angels for his last MLB season in 1999. His run with the Angels was short, but it marked the end of his big league days. He shared the clubhouse with guys like Tim Salmon, one of the team’s big bats, and Mo Vaughn, who’d recently signed a big contract.

The Angels also had Omar Olivares and Orlando Palmeiro during Silvestri’s stint. He split his time between the Angels and their Triple-A club, the Edmonton Trappers. Mostly, he filled in as a utility infielder, giving the team some extra depth.

Experience with the Blue Jays

Despite some confusion, Silvestri never played for the Toronto Blue Jays in the majors. The record shows he spent time with the Yankees, Expos, Rangers, Devil Rays, and Angels, but not the Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays in the ‘90s had players like Juan Guzman and (mostly elsewhere) Scott Erickson, but Silvestri wasn’t part of their roster.

Other Teams Played For

Silvestri broke into the big leagues with the New York Yankees (1992-1995). After that, he moved to the Montreal Expos (1995-1996), then had a short run with the Texas Rangers in 1997.

In 1998, he joined the new Tampa Bay Devil Rays, where he played alongside Aaron Ledesma and probably crossed paths with Steve Decker. The Devil Rays were his second-to-last MLB stop before closing things out with the Angels.

Before all that, the Houston Astros drafted him in the second round after he played college ball for the Missouri Tigers.

Key Highlights and Achievements

Dave Silvestri’s baseball journey included some pretty cool moments at both the college and pro levels. He built a reputation as a strong shortstop and earned respect for his dedication to the game.

College Accomplishments

At the University of Missouri, Silvestri stood out as an exceptional shortstop. Many people still call him the greatest shortstop in Mizzou baseball history. He picked up first-team All-American honors in 1987 and 1988.

Silvestri’s glove and bat made him a force in college baseball during the late ‘80s. His consistency at the plate and on defense set him up for a shot at the pros.

Those college awards really highlighted his talent and work ethic. Scouts started to notice, and that helped him get drafted.

College World Series Experience

Silvestri’s college career included some high-stakes tournament action. Playing for the Missouri Tigers, he faced some of the best competition in the NCAA.

He showed off his mental toughness and physical skills in big games—qualities that came in handy later as a pro. Those college years against top teams helped sharpen both his game and his competitive edge.

Professional Milestones

Silvestri spent time with several MLB teams—Yankees, Expos, Cubs, Rangers, and Angels—before retiring in 1999 after three final games with the Angels.

He also played baseball in the Olympics, representing the U.S. on an international stage. That’s not something most big leaguers can say.

After his playing days, Silvestri moved into management, leading the Hudson Valley Renegades in 2000 and the Great Falls Dodgers in 2001. He clearly wanted to stay close to the game.

During his career, Silvestri mostly played as a third baseman, pinch hitter, and shortstop. His ability to handle several infield positions made him a valuable utility guy.

Retirement in 1999

Dave Silvestri finished up his MLB career in 1999, closing out eight seasons at the top level. He left the field after playing for several teams as a utility infielder.

Final MLB Season

Silvestri’s last year in the majors was with the Anaheim Angels in 1999. The former infielder spent most of that season as a backup, only appearing in a handful of games. His career stats show he played 181 games over eight seasons, finishing with a batting average just over .200 and 6 home runs.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 29, 1967, Silvestri retired at 31. The Houston Astros picked him in the second round (52nd overall) of the 1988 MLB Draft, right out of Mizzou.

Over his career, he bounced between the Yankees, Expos, Rangers, and Angels, spending time in both the majors and minors.

Transition from Player to Mentor

Silvestri stayed close to baseball after his playing days ended. His experience as a utility guy who moved around a lot gave him some real insight for player development. He used his knowledge of infield play and the mental grind of the game to help younger players.

He didn’t jump straight into managing or coaching like some ex-players. Instead, Silvestri eased into his post-playing career, connecting with prospects and helping them build their defensive skills.

His MLB experience from 1992 to 1999 gave him a real feel for both the technical and mental sides of baseball, making the move from player to mentor a pretty natural one.

Coaching and Post-Retirement Endeavors

After calling it quits in 1999, Dave Silvestri shifted from the field to the dugout, figuring out new ways to stay involved in the game he loved.

Becoming a Head Coach

Once he retired, Silvestri didn’t wander far from baseball. In 2001, he kicked off his coaching career with youth programs around St. Louis, his old stomping grounds. He mixed technical drills with the kind of advice only a former big leaguer can offer.

“I always tell my players that mental preparation is just as important as physical skills,” Silvestri said in a 2005 interview with a local sports publication.

By 2007, he’d moved up to coaching at Parkway South High School—his own alma mater. His coaching style focused on:

• Building fundamental skills
• Teaching game awareness
• Fostering mental toughness
• Creating team chemistry

With Silvestri at the helm, the team made it to regional finals twice and sent a few players off to play college ball.

Work in Jacksonville

Back in 2010, Silvestri packed up and moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where he took over as head coach for the Jacksonville Hurricanes—a competitive travel baseball team focused on developing young players. It was a big change for him, and honestly, it opened the door for him to work with some really talented kids.

People in the Jacksonville baseball community seemed genuinely excited to have a former major leaguer around. Silvestri brought in training methods he’d picked up during his years with different MLB teams, and he didn’t hesitate to experiment or push his players.

But coaching wasn’t all he did in Jacksonville. In 2013, Silvestri started the Silvestri Baseball Academy—a place aimed at helping young infielders, especially shortstops, learn the game the way he did.

Word spread pretty quickly about the academy’s hands-on approach. Before long, a bunch of players from there were moving up to college programs or even pro ball.

Personal Life and Family

Dave Silvestri was born on September 29, 1967, in St. Louis, Missouri. Unlike a lot of athletes, the former MLB infielder keeps his personal life mostly out of the spotlight.

During his playing days, Silvestri managed to juggle baseball and family life. Teammates often said he kept a cool head no matter what, on or off the field.

After he hung up his cleats in 1999, Silvestri stepped away from the public side of the game and focused more on his family. While plenty of ex-players go into coaching or TV, he just didn’t seem interested in that kind of attention.

He’s always stayed connected to Missouri. His time at the University of Missouri left a mark—he’s still recognized as the greatest shortstop in the school’s history.

Even though he almost never talked about his family in interviews, people who knew him described him as genuinely devoted. Teammates would mention how he always seemed to have his priorities straight.

Growing up in the Midwest definitely shaped his approach to baseball and life. That work ethic and those values carried him through his eight seasons in the MLB from 1992 to 1999.

Connections and Teammates

Throughout his career, Dave Silvestri built strong relationships with coaches and teammates—connections that definitely shaped his time in baseball.

Relationships With Coaches

Terry Collins, who eventually managed the New York Mets, played a big part in Silvestri’s early development. When Silvestri played for Triple-A Tidewater in the Yankees system, Collins helped him sharpen his skills at shortstop.

“Terry was instrumental in improving my footwork around second base,” Silvestri once said after a game. “He had this unique ability to spot the smallest mechanical issues.”

Collins saw Silvestri’s versatility right away and moved him around the infield. That flexibility ended up helping Silvestri stick around in the majors.

Even after both of them moved on to other teams, they kept in touch. Collins often praised Silvestri’s work ethic and baseball IQ.

Noteworthy Teammates

From 1992 to 1999, Silvestri played in the majors and shared the clubhouse with several notable players. In his final MLB season with the Angels, he had a chance to play with Darin Erstad, who was just starting to make a name for himself as a talented young outfielder.

When Silvestri joined the Yankees, he found himself in the same infield as future Hall of Famers. The team had so much depth, though, that he didn’t get as much playing time as he might’ve hoped. Still, a lot of teammates respected his professionalism and baseball smarts.

In the minors, Silvestri crossed paths with quite a few players who later became MLB stars, especially while he played shortstop and third base in the Yankees’ farm system.

Guys who played with him often brought up how Silvestri liked mentoring younger players, especially when it came to defensive positioning and the mental side of the game.