Hubbry Logo
Mike VenafroMike VenafroMain
Open search
Mike Venafro
Community hub
Mike Venafro
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Mike Venafro
Mike Venafro
Mike Venafro
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Michael Robert Venafro (born August 2, 1973) is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher. He played professionally for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies. He is currently a scout for the San Diego Padres.[1]

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

Venafro was born in Takoma Park, Maryland and graduated from Paul VI High School in northern Virginia. He is an alumnus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.[2]

Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 29th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball draft,[3] Venafro made his Major League Baseball debut with the Rangers on April 24, 1999.

Venafro is often referenced in the best selling book titled Moneyball by Michael Lewis, which details the financial aspects of the Oakland Athletics during the time Venafro played for them. He is also referred to in the 2011 film of the same name during a scene where Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) offers him to the San Francisco Giants to drive down interest in Ricardo Rincón, whom Beane is attempting to acquire from Cleveland at the trading deadline.

Venafro played with three teams in postseason major league baseball including: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, and the Texas Rangers. In total, Venafro has played with 14 different baseball organizations. Venafro has 13 years of professional baseball experience; 7 of which are in the major leagues. His major league career ERA is 4.09. He held big league lefthanded batters to a .240/.318/.310 line in parts of seven seasons.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mike Venafro

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael Robert Venafro (born August 2, 1973) is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who played in from 1999 to 2006 and has served as a scout for the Padres since around 2010. Venafro was born in , and attended , where he played college baseball for the Dukes. He was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 29th round (794th overall pick) of the 1995 MLB Draft. Venafro made his MLB debut with the Rangers on April 24, 1999, and appeared in 307 games over seven seasons, primarily as a reliever, compiling a career record of 15 wins and 10 losses with a 4.09 (ERA) in 253.1 and 131 strikeouts. He recorded 5 saves during his career and participated in postseason play, appearing in the 1999 with the Rangers and the 2004 with the Dodgers. Venafro played for five teams: the Texas Rangers (1999–2001), (2002), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003), [Los Angeles Dodgers](/page/Los Angeles_Dodgers) (2004), and Colorado Rockies (2006). After retiring as a player in 2007 due to family health concerns, Venafro transitioned into scouting.

Early Life

Birth and Family

Michael Robert Venafro was born on August 2, 1973, in . Venafro's surname originates from the town of Venafro in Italy's region. He grew up in . Limited details are available regarding his early family dynamics, though his rise to prominence served as an inspiration for relatives. A 2002 San Francisco Chronicle article highlighted how Venafro's unexpected success motivated his family, portraying him as an "accidental reliever" who had not originally envisioned as a professional pursuit.

Education

Mike Venafro attended Paul VI High School in , where he completed his . Following high school, Venafro enrolled at in . He pursued a double major in social sciences and , earning his degree in 1995.

Amateur Baseball Career

High School

Mike Venafro attended Paul VI High School in , where he played as a left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s and early , graduating in 1991. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 170 pounds, Venafro honed his distinctive sidearm delivery, which became a hallmark of his pitching style throughout his career. His contributions to the Paul VI Panthers program were significant enough that the school established the "Mike Venafro" Pitcher of the Year award in his honor, recognizing outstanding pitching talent on the team. This early recognition as a promising lefty paved the way for his recruitment to .

College

Venafro joined the baseball team as a walk-on in 1993, initially seeing limited action during his freshman and sophomore seasons as he worked to earn a more prominent role on the Dukes roster. By his senior year in 1995, Venafro had developed into a reliable left-handed , making 29 appearances without any starts, while pitching 49.1 and securing 5 saves. His performance that season featured a 2.37 , demonstrating improved command and effectiveness in high-leverage situations for a team that finished 42-17 and advanced to the NCAA Regionals. Venafro's breakout campaign earned him recognition as a Colonial Athletic Association All-Conference selection, NCAA All-East Region Second Team honoree, and VaSID All-State Honorable Mention. These accolades highlighted his growth from a peripheral contributor to a key asset, culminating in his selection in the 1995 MLB Draft.

Professional Career

Minor Leagues

Mike Venafro was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 29th round, 794th overall, of the out of . He signed with the organization on June 10, 1995, beginning his professional career as a left-handed in the Rangers' system. Venafro's progression from 1995 to 1998 showcased steady development across Rangers affiliates, starting at the short-season Class A level and advancing to Triple-A. In his debut season with the (New York-Penn League, A-), he appeared in 32 games, posting a 2.13 over 50.2 innings with 32 strikeouts and 2 saves, establishing himself early as a reliable option. The following year, 1996, saw him move to the Charleston Rangers (, A), where he refined his , recording 19 saves in 50 appearances with a 3.51 and 62 strikeouts in 59.0 innings, demonstrating improved command and effectiveness against more seasoned hitters. By 1997, Venafro earned promotions to the Port Charlotte Rangers (, A+) and then the Tulsa Drillers (, AA), splitting 46 games between the levels with a combined 3.43 , 48 strikeouts in 60.1 , and 11 saves, highlighting his adaptability to higher competition. His 1998 season involved 59 appearances split between Tulsa (AA) and the Oklahoma RedHawks (, AAA), where he achieved a 3.89 over 69.1 , 60 strikeouts, and 14 saves, solidifying his readiness for the majors. In early 1999, he made 6 appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma (5.40 , 11.2 IP, 7 SO, 1 SV) before his MLB call-up. Over these four years (1995–1998), Venafro accumulated 187 appearances, a 3.24 , 202 strikeouts, and 46 saves, underscoring his growth into a versatile lefty reliever without significant setbacks. This foundation paved the way for his major league debut with the Rangers in 1999.
YearTeam (Level)AppearancesERAInnings PitchedStrikeoutsSaves
1995 (A-)322.1350.2322
1996Charleston Rangers (A)503.5159.06219
1997Port Charlotte Rangers (A+), (AA)463.4360.14811
1998 (AA), Oklahoma RedHawks (AAA)593.8969.16014
Total-1873.24239.020246

Texas Rangers

Mike Venafro made his Major League Baseball debut on April 24, 1999, with the Texas Rangers, appearing as a left-handed reliever in a game against the . In his rookie season, he quickly established himself in the , making 65 relief appearances and posting a 3-2 record with a 3.29 over 68.1 , while recording 37 strikeouts. He contributed to the team's postseason effort that year, pitching 1.0 scoreless inning across two appearances in the against the New York Yankees. In 2000, Venafro continued as a key middle reliever for the Rangers, appearing in a league-high 77 games and achieving a 3-1 record with a 3.83 in 56.1 innings, including one save and 32 strikeouts. Venafro's final season with the Rangers came in 2001, where he made 70 relief outings, finishing with a 5-5 record, a 4.80 , and 29 strikeouts in 60.0 innings. Following the 2001 season, he was traded to the on January 14, 2002, along with first baseman , in exchange for catcher , outfielder , infielder Jason Hart, and pitcher Mario Ramos.

Oakland Athletics

Venafro was acquired by the from the Texas Rangers on January 14, 2002, in a multi-player trade that sent him and to Oakland in exchange for prospects Jason Hart, , , and Mario Ramos. Shortly after, on January 17, 2002, he agreed to a one-year contract worth $812,500 with the Athletics, avoiding salary arbitration. This deal positioned him as a low-cost left-handed reliever on a team known for its analytically driven roster construction during the early 2000s. In 2002, Venafro appeared in 47 games for the , all in relief, compiling a 2-2 record with a 4.62 over 37 and recording 16 strikeouts. Primarily utilized as a middle reliever, he provided depth to the amid Oakland's dominant regular season, where the team won 103 games and captured the title. His tenure coincided with the Athletics' "Moneyball" approach to player evaluation, and he featured in trade negotiations orchestrated by general manager to acquire setup man , highlighting the team's emphasis on cost-effective acquisitions. The advanced to the (ALDS) against the , ultimately losing 3-2, with Venafro included on the postseason roster but receiving no playing time during the series. Following the campaign, the Athletics declined to tender him a contract on December 19, 2002, making him a .

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Mike Venafro signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as a on March 28, 2003, shortly after being released by the earlier that month. The 29-year-old left-handed reliever joined the expansion-era franchise, which was in its sixth season and seeking depth amid ongoing roster turnover. Venafro was slotted into a middle relief role, appearing in short outings to provide matchup advantages against left-handed batters in a competitive . During the 2003 season, Venafro made 24 relief appearances for the Devil Rays, posting a 1-0 record with a 4.74 over 19 . He allowed 24 hits and 10 earned runs, including one , while issuing just three walks but recording only nine strikeouts, reflecting challenges in generating swings-and-misses and limiting hard contact. These struggles contributed to his limited effectiveness on a Devil Rays team that finished 63-99, last in the AL East, as the pitching staff grappled with defensive inconsistencies and a high run environment typical of the franchise's early years. Venafro's tenure ended abruptly when the Devil Rays released him on June 30, 2003, after his had climbed and the team sought other options in a rebuilding phase. This marked a notable dip in his career trajectory, as his brief stint highlighted adaptation difficulties to the new organization's dynamics and the AL's offensive pressures. Following his release, he signed with the Houston Astros and appeared in 23 games for Triple-A New Orleans (3.54 , 28.0 IP) before joining the organization ahead of the 2004 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Venafro was acquired by the via trade from the Kansas City Royals organization on August 10, 2004, in exchange for minor league pitcher Elvin Nina. Joining a Dodgers team in contention for the title, he served as a left-handed utility reliever out of the bullpen, providing matchup-based pitching in low-leverage situations during the stretch run. In 17 appearances for the Dodgers that season, Venafro compiled a 0-0 record with a 4.00 over 9 , allowing 11 hits and 4 earned runs while recording 6 strikeouts and 3 walks. His efforts contributed to the Dodgers' successful division-winning campaign, as they finished with a 93-69 record and advanced to the postseason for the first time since 1996. Venafro appeared in two games during the 2004 against the Cardinals, pitching a total of 0.2 scoreless without issuing a hit or walk and striking out one batter. His brief but effective relief outings came in Game 1 on October 5, where he entered to face a left-handed hitter in a tight contest. The Dodgers lost the series 3-1. After spending 2005 with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate (53 appearances, 6.85 over 44.2 IP), Venafro joined the organization in 2006, appearing in 36 games for Triple-A Louisville (2.45 , 22.0 IP). He signed a minor league contract with the Rockies on , 2006.

Colorado Rockies

Venafro signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies on July 20, 2006, and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the . In 20 appearances with the , he posted a 3-1 record and a 2.20 over 16.1 , allowing 10 hits and 5 walks while striking out 10. Earlier in the 2006 season, he had appeared in 36 games for the Triple-A of the organization, recording an 0-0 mark with a 2.45 in 22 and 18 strikeouts. Venafro was called up to the major leagues by the Rockies in September 2006, making his debut on against the Washington Nationals at . Over seven relief appearances that month, he went 1-0 with a 2.45 , pitching 3.2 while allowing 3 hits, 3 walks, and 1 earned run with 2 strikeouts. Four of his outings were at , where the high altitude typically poses challenges for pitchers due to reduced air density affecting ball flight, yet Venafro allowed no earned runs in 3.0 there. His sole win came in his debut, entering in the seventh inning of a tied game and retiring the side in order. Venafro's final major league appearance occurred on September 30, 2006, against the Chicago Cubs at , where he pitched 0.1 scoreless innings in the 13th frame of a tied contest. This marked the end of his seven-year MLB career, during which he compiled a 15-10 record, 4.09 ERA, and 131 strikeouts in 307 relief outings across five teams. Following the season, he was granted free agency on October 13, 2006, and later continued his playing career in the and independent leagues.

Post-Playing Career

Scouting Role

After retiring from professional baseball in 2007 due to family health concerns, Mike Venafro took a two-year hiatus before entering the scouting field, joining the San Diego Padres as a professional scout around 2010. He was hired by then-assistant general manager A.J. Hinch, leveraging his extensive playing background to transition into talent evaluation. In his role with the Padres, Venafro focuses on identifying and assessing prospective players, with a particular emphasis on pitchers. His responsibilities include evaluating physical skills alongside intangibles such as mental resilience and drive, which he considers essential for long-term success in . Venafro draws on his 13-year playing career as a left-handed reliever to inform his approach, providing insights into the demands of major league competition. As of 2025, Venafro continues to serve as a scout for the Padres, contributing to their roster development efforts. In interviews and podcasts, he has discussed his philosophy, stressing the mental game as a key differentiator in talent identification and player development.

Media Recognition

Mike Venafro gained notable media recognition through his portrayal in Michael Lewis's 2003 book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, which chronicles the ' use of and during the early 2000s. In the book, Venafro is depicted as a "cynical, short, lefty sidewinder" whom general manager attempted to trade as part of a strategy to acquire relief pitcher , including offers extended to teams such as the and San Francisco Giants. This narrative underscores Venafro's role in the ' resource-constrained roster maneuvers, emblematic of the era's emphasis on undervalued players and creative deal-making. Venafro's connection to the Moneyball story extended to the 2011 film adaptation directed by , where his name is referenced in a key trade negotiation scene involving Beane's efforts to distract rival teams during the pursuit of Rincón. The scene, featuring as Beane, highlights Venafro as a bargaining chip offered to contenders like the Mets, reinforcing the book's themes of strategic deception in player acquisitions without depicting Venafro on screen. Beyond the Moneyball franchise, Venafro has appeared in media discussions linking his career to baseball's evolving landscape. In a 2024 episode of the podcast, hosted by Dan McCann, Venafro reflected on talent identification, the mental aspects of performance, and drive in , drawing from his experiences as a during the Athletics' innovative era. These insights position his tenure as a bridge between traditional and data-driven evaluation, with articles occasionally citing his Moneyball involvement as an example of how reshaped relief pitching roles in the early .

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/mike-venafro-150291
  2. https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/logan-white-invigorated-by-move-to-padres-front-office/c-106962716
  3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/venafmi01.shtml
  4. https://www.dnronline.com/dnronline/padres-venafro-hopeful-for-mlb-in-2020/article_5df315e2-5784-5425-90f0-e1cfd83b92f2.html
  5. https://lastnames.myheritage.com/last-name/Venafro
  6. https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Venafro-s-success-inspires-family-For-A-s-2853663.php
  7. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Mike_Venafro
  8. https://jmusports.com/sports/baseball/roster/mike-venafro/4222
  9. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/List_of_Submarine_Pitchers
  10. https://www.leaguelineup.com/miscinfo.asp?menuid=47&url=pvibaseball
  11. https://blog.symtrain.ai/blogs/coachs-corner-ep.-2-mike-venafro-on-talent-drive-the-mental-game
  12. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/stats_college/1995~20132/
  13. https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/jmusports.com/documents/2022/3/1/22.pdf
  14. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/awards/CAA-AllConf/
  15. https://www.milb.com/player/mike-venafro-150291
  16. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=venafr001mic
  17. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/venafmi01.shtml#postseason_pitching
  18. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/venafmi01.shtml#trans
  19. https://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article/A-s-Venafro-Agree-on-Contract-7325081.php
  20. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2002.shtml
  21. https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/30/magazine/the-trading-desk.html
  22. https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Friday-s-Sports-Transactions-10491830.php
  23. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TBD/2003.shtml
  24. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2004-transactions.shtml
  25. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2004.shtml
  26. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/catcher-tom-wilson-talks-with-relief-pitcher-mike-venafro-news-photo/51433552
  27. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=venafmi01
  28. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=venafmi01&t=p&year=2006
  29. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/moneyball/chapter-9-the-trading-desk
  30. https://www.shortform.com/blog/ricardo-rincon/
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oC2ta1Xqkk
  32. https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/a406d281-8186-43b3-841d-fb811b9cc7cb
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.