Alex Liddi: First-ever Italian-born-and-developed MLB player calls it a career

When Alex Liddi made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on September 7, 2011, he became the first-ever Italian-born and developed player to reach The Show. He was only the sixth European-born and developed player to reach the Big Leagues after Win Remmerswaal (Netherlands, 1979), Rikkert Faneyte (Netherlands, 1993), Robert Eenhoorn (Netherlands, 1994), Rick van den Hurk (Netherlands, 2007) and Greg Halman (Netherlands, 2010). Donald Lutz (Germany) would follow in 2013. Max Kepler became the second German player in 2015. Dovydas Neverauskas put Lithuania in the history books in 2017 and Samuel Aldegheri became the second Italian in 2024.

"If I look back at my career," said Liddi during an online press conference hosted by the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS), "I believe I got to the Big Leagues when I wasn't mentally ready to handle it. But I have no regrets. I never made it to the World Series or the All-Star game, but I had a chance to play baseball in America, Asia, and Europe. That's even more surprising than making the Big Leagues.

"Calling it quits wasn't too difficult. It was time to be closer to my family. Also, I must admit that I struggled to keep up to my level during the late seasons of my career. So I thought it was the right time to make the decision."

Liddi mentioned his favourite MLB moment was the grand slam he hit on May 23, 2012, against the Texas Rangers.

"I remember they walked a batter [second baseman and leadoff hitter Dustin Acley] to get to me and possibly get out of the inning with a double play. I felt like I was flying when running the bases."

The Mariners won the game 5-3.

"[Venezuelan superstar closer] Felix Hernandez was my favourite MLB teammate. He took care of me when I was a rookie. I also had a perfect relationship with [2002 World Series winner] Chone Figgins.

Before getting to the Big Leagues, Liddi played 755 games through six Minor League Baseball (MiLB) seasons, including 134 at Double-A in 2010 and 138 at Triple-A in 2011.

"I have very fond memories of playing the minors. I remember earning US$450 every two weeks during my first season and buying a used car for $700 with a Dominican teammate. I was not 18, so I didn't qualify for a driving licence in Italy. It was never hard for me. It becomes hard when you don't like what you're doing. I loved everything, including the 20-hour bus rides."

Liddi played 921 games in professional baseball leagues outside the United States. He competed in the Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico Winter Leagues, the Mexican Baseball League (LMB), and the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).

He represented Italy internationally 62 times, including in the World Baseball Classic in 2009, 2013, and 2017. In 2024, he played in the Global Baseball Games series with Team Europe against Japan.

"Playing for the National Team has been the highlight of my career. While playing abroad, it was special to go back and share the experience with the kids I grew up with. [FIBS President] Marco Mazzieri is my baseball dad. I am grateful for all the baseball knowledge he shared with me. I didn't get the chance to represent Italy in the Olympics. Marco is the right President to lead Italy back to the baseball Olympic tournament. I anticipate the Los Angeles Games. Playing in the US can give Olympic baseball a lot of visibility."

Mazzieri said: "Italian baseball needs to qualify for the Games. Hopefully, we will get the proper government support to plan the qualification process. I met Alex in 2003. He was a 15-year-old, and I was coaching him at the Babe Ruth World Series. I remember he told me that he would make the Big Leagues. I also remember he told me he had a sore arm; then I saw him throw a football 90 metres away in a parking lot.

"Alex showed his determination later in his career. He underwent knee surgery in the Fall of 2016. Nobody thought he could make the World Baseball Classic team. I watched him work as much as eight hours daily and take the field in the World Baseball Classic," Mazzieri added.

Liddi is now planning the next chapter in his life.

"I won't go into details, but my wife and I are working on projects we put on hold during my playing career. I started consulting for an agency as a player representative. I don't see myself coaching professional baseball, but I would like to work in player development. Baseball gave me a lot, and I feel like giving back to the younger players."

On a final note, Liddi said: "There's a lot of people I need to thank for what I accomplished. I already said what I owe to Mazzieri. I also owe a lot to the late Bill Holmberg. Alessandro Maestri has been my favourite roommate in baseball. Another player I was very close to was [left-handed pitcher] Luca Panerati. [Conditioning coach] Gianni Natale and [trainer] Massimo Baldi were always there when I needed them."