GARY, Ind. - Gary SouthShore RailCats centerfielder Rob Marconi - a two year starter, 2008 Northern League All-Star and one of the league's top defensive outfielders - has announced his retirement from professional baseball.
Marconi, 27, spent six seasons as a pro, including three in the Baltimore Orioles organization directly following his college career at Northern Illinois University. Acquired via trade by the RailCats before the start of the 2008 season, Marconi's defensive range and instincts made him the ideal player for U. S. Steel Yard's spacious outfield. The La Grange, Ill. native also held his own at the plate in his ‘Cats career, where his .281 career batting average is the sixth-best in franchise history.
"Rob is one of those special players that doesn't come around very often," RailCats Manager Greg Tagert said of his former star. "His combination of character, work-ethic, talent and the way he played the game every day made him a pleasure to work with, and I know I speak both for myself and his teammates."
"I could not have imagined a better place for my baseball career to end than with the RailCats," Marconi said. "The RailCats family - including the fans, front office, coaches and teammates - were all outstanding, and I've made memories and friends the last two seasons I will never forget."
Tabbed with high expectations after winning a Frontier League Championship with the Windy City Thunderbolts in 2007, Marconi had an outstanding 2008 season and played in the Northern League's Midseason All-Star Game. That season Marconi batted .290, notching a career-high 56 RBI and scoring a franchise-record 71 runs. A combination of power and average at the plate, Marconi doubled 20 times in 2008 and cracked seven triples and eight home runs. Last season, Marconi again hit a well-rounded .271 with 15 doubles, six triples and six homers.
In his two-year RailCats career, Marconi played in a whopping 180 regular season games (out of a possible 192) and hit .281 with 35 doubles, 13 triples and 14 home runs. The Lyons Township (Ill.) High School graduate also stole 22 bases in his career and slugged .439. Marconi ranks in the top 10 in RailCats history in 12 different career offensive categories, including batting average, hits, runs, doubles, triples, home runs and RBI.
"Coach Tagert was one of the best coaches I played for and, more importantly, one of the best men I've ever had the pleasure of meeting," Marconi added. "I also want to thank [RailCats owners] Mr. and Mrs. Salvi for everything their family has done for the team and me personally, and thank my teammates for being like a family to me."
A four-year star at Northern Illinois, Marconi left school as the Huskies career leader in home runs (35), RBI (171) and runs scored (178). In 2004, Marconi was a 22nd round selection of the Baltimore Orioles in that summer's entry draft and spent three seasons - primarily as a third baseman - in the affiliated minor leagues. Marconi played in 490 minor league games in his career and finished with 197 RBI and 36 lifetime home runs.
Marconi continued a distinguished line of defensive centerfielders to play for Tagert at U. S. Steel Yard, following 2005 Northern League Finals MVP Anthony Iapoce, perennial All-Star Fehlandt Lentini and former major leaguer Jermaine Allensworth, a grouping unmatched in independent baseball.
The entire RailCats organization wishes Marconi the best in his future endeavors outside baseball, and congratulates him on an outstanding career.
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