"Growing up in the 1990s during the peak of the Yankee dynasty, Commack native Mike Belfiore was fortunate enough to be in attendance for not one, but two World Series clinching games. Like many New Yorkers, he became infatuated with the game after watching homegrown players like Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte transform into icons.

'It became sort of an annual thing going to the playoff games at Yankeee Stadium with my dad,' said Belfiore. Little did he know at the time, that he would later be in the big leagues with an AL East division rival of the New York Yankees during the final season of Mariano Rivera‘s career." (Axcess Baseball "Where Are They Now: Mike Belfiore")

Michael John Belfiore (born October 3, 1988 in Commack, NY) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Baltimore Orioles in 2013.

Mike attended Boston College where he was a first baseman and a pitcher. After being drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft first round (45th overall), he became a full-time pitcher. Mike has played professionally with the Missoula Osprey (2009), and the South Bend Silver Hawks (2010). He was a Pioneer League All-Star in 2009.

In 2012, Belfiore was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles as a player to be named later from a previous deal. It was with Baltimore he made his lone big league appearance, September 27, 2013, against the Boston Red Sox. The first batter he faced, "Big Papi" David Ortiz, took him deep for a three-run homer. In 1 1/3 innings, Mike also allowed a home run to Jonny Gomes and was charged with 2 earned runs for a career ERA of 13.50. He finished his career with two seasons in the Detroit Tigers organization (2014 to 2015).

Mike is on Twitter @MJBelfiore

(excerpted from Axcess Baseball, Baseball Almanac, BR Bullpen & Wikipedia)