Julio Giacomo Bonetti (July 14, 1911 – June 17, 1952) was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Browns and Chicago Cubs. He is one of only seven Italian-born Major League Baseball players in history.

Julio Bonetti
Pitcher
Born: (1911-07-14)July 14, 1911
Genoa, Italy
Died: June 17, 1952(1952-06-17) (aged 40)
Belmont, California
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 22, 1937, for the St. Louis Browns
Last MLB appearance
April 22, 1940, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
Win–loss record6–14
Earned run average6.03
Strikeouts50
Teams

Bonetti made his major league debut with the Browns on April 22, 1937. He became a versatile pitcher for the lowly Browns that season, pitching in 12 games out of the bullpen (notching one save) and starting 16 others, seven of which he completed. He managed just a 4–11 record and a 5.84 ERA, but his ERA was actually better than the last-place team's average of 6.00.

Nevertheless, in 1938 Bonetti pitched exclusively in relief, going 2–3 with a 6.35 ERA in 17 games. His contract was purchased by the Cubs in February 1939, and after some time in the minors, Bonetti worked his way onto the Cubs roster in April 1940. Unfortunately, his Cub debut, which came three years to the day after his major league debut, was disastrous. Bonetti allowed three runs on three hits and four walks in just 113 innings for an ERA of 20.25.[1] He never pitched in the major leagues again.

Bonetti died June 17, 1952, in Belmont, California, after suffering a heart attack.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "The 1940 CHI N Regular Season Pitching Log for Julio Bonetti". retrosheet.org. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  2. ^ Julio Bonetti at the SABR Baseball Biography Project , by Brian McKenna, Retrieved November 27, 2019.
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