Anthony Joseph (Tony) Graffanino (born June 6, 1972
in Amityville, New York) is a free agent infielder
in Major League Baseball, and most recently played
for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Graffanino is primarily a contact hitter (just 481
strikeouts in 2787 big-league at-bats) who is able
to get on base (career .336 OBP) – and his speed is
above average, with 53 stolen bases in 78 attempts.
He excels as a situational hitter, being capable of
hitting behind the runner and dropping down a bunt.
As a fielder, he has the ability to play every
infield position and left field. He has an
above-average arm, which helps him in the LF and on
the left side of the infield.
After spending three years with the Braves, 2 1⁄2
seasons with Tampa Bay, and another 3 1⁄2 with the
White Sox, Graffanino played only second base for
Kansas City in 2004, but he has moved around more in
2005. Obtained by the Boston Red Sox after the
All-Star Game, he started at second base following
the cut of Mark Bellhorn.
In 2005 Graffanino hit .298 for the Royals and .319
with the Red Sox for a combined .309 (117-for-379),
a career high. He also posted career numbers in RBI
(38), runs (68), doubles (17), games (110), and
hits. He received some notoriety, particularly in
New England, for making an error in the fifth inning
of Game Two of the 2005 American League Division
Series. The Red Sox were swept in that series.
As for Graffanino's minor league career, he spent
time with Pulaski in 1990, the Idaho Falls Braves of
the Pioneer League in 1991, the Macon Braves of the
South Atlantic League in 1992, the Durham Bulls in
1993 and the Greenville Braves of the Southern
League in 1994.
Graffanino was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers at
the 2006 All Star Break for left-handed pitcher,
Jorge De La Rosa.
In 2007, Graffanino struggled to begin the year, but
after the call up of talented prospect Ryan Braun,
Graffanino seemed to be invigorated and raised his
sub .200 batting average to over .240 over a month's
time. He slugged nine home runs in only 231 at-bats
that season. But on August 8, Graffanino tore his
ACL, ending his season with a .238 batting average.
After the 2007 World Series, Tony officially became
a Free Agent.
