Mike Balenti

Mike Balenti, born in 1886, was a professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1911 to 1913. Primarily a position player, Balenti appeared in a total of 78 games during his time in Major League Baseball. He played in an era characterized by a transition in the game, as baseball was moving away from the deadball era and beginning to embrace more offensive strategies. Although his career batting average stood at .183, he contributed to his teams with a total of 40 hits and 11 runs batted in. Balenti's playing style was marked by his speed on the base paths, as evidenced by his 6 stolen bases, showcasing a knack for aggressive base running. While he did not hit any home runs during his brief career, his presence on the field and contributions as a role player were part of the fabric of the early 20th-century game. After his retirement in 1913, Balenti's time in baseball became a footnote in the larger narrative of the sport's evolution, but he remains a part of the rich tapestry of baseball history.