Team Italy’s John Andreoli and Drew Maggi reunited on Twins AAA Rochester Red Wings roster
Facing Tim Tebow and the Syracuse Mets in a doubleheader at Rochester’s Frontier Field on April 16, Team Italy’s John Andreoli and Drew Maggi were reunited for the first time since playing in the 2017 World Baseball Classic as teammates on the Minnesota Twins Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings roster. 
John Andreoli ended up in Rochester after the San Francisco Giants traded him for outfielder Michael Reed on March 23, 2019. While playing for the San Francisco Giants during 2019 Cactus League Spring Training, John Andreoli appeared in nine games and went 2-for-8 with two RBI and three walks. Drew Maggi signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins on January 15, 2009. He played in eight Twins Grapefruit League Spring Training games and went 2-for-5 with one double and one stolen base. Drew Maggi was assigned to Double-A Pensacola before moving up to Triple-A Rochester on April 14, 2019.
In the first game of the doubleheader on April 16, centerfielder John Andreoli was the leadoff man for the Red Wings, while Drew Maggi played second base and hit ninth in the Rochester lineup. Both ballplayers were successful in getting on base in their first at-bats against Mets pitcher Hector Santiago. The speedy John Andreoli legged out an infield single, and Drew Maggi laid down a perfectly-executed bunt single. 
The Italian American dynamic duo was the good luck charm for the Rochester Red Wings as the team won its first home game of the season by a score of 3-2. In the nightcap, centerfielder John Andreoli once again led off for the Red Wings, and nine-hole hitter Drew Maggi moved over to shortstop. Rochester lost the second game of the doubleheader 3-0. The Red Wings are now 3-9 for the season and trail the International League North Division leaders Lehigh Valley Ironpigs by five and a half games.
On a positive note, John Andreoli and the Rochester Red Wings have teamed up with Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and the Rochester School for the Deaf (RSD) for #DeafCultureDay on Sunday, April 28 at Frontier Field. Having served as a volunteer coach at the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf while playing for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, John Andreoli has been a strong supporter of athletes with special needs. Now working closely with those in Rochester, he is learning American Sign Language in anticipation of Deaf Culture Day. The Red Wings will wear specialty jerseys and caps to celebrate the event. The jerseys will feature “Red Wings” in American Sign Language across the chest, while the cap will have the ASL “R” on the front with the Spikes logo on the side. The jerseys will be auctioned off using the LiveSource mobile app, with proceeds benefitting both NTID and RSD.
There will be dozens of interpreters stationed throughout the ballpark including in the seating bowl, at concession stands, and at the ticket offices to assist deaf individuals. Portions of the game will be captioned on the videoboard for the first time ever courtesy of NTID. Other aspects of the day include a silent inning where there will be no public address announcements or music of any kind. In addition, deaf individuals who have made a significant impact in society will be recognized throughout the game. To purchase ticket packages which includes seats to the Rochester Red Wings #DeafCultureDay game against the Pawtucket Red Sox on April 28 and specially designed Deaf Culture tee shirts or fitted caps, click . Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
