The Miami Miracle's John Urcioli had played across three infield positions by July 1991. He also DH'd, his hometown Staten Island Advance wrote.
Regardless of where he played, Urcioli knew what to do, he told The Advance.
"I just go out and play hard," Urcioli told The Advance. "Growing up on Staten Island's fields, playing Little League, Babe Ruth, Federation, Legion and at Tottenville (High), I never knew any other way."
Urcioli spoke in his second pro season. He played hard enough to see one more campaign. He spent all three seasons with independent teams. He topped out at high-A.
Urcioli's career began in 1990, taken by the independent Miami Miracle in the 15th round of the draft out of the New York Institute of Technology, New York Tech.
"His best asset is his fielding," Urcioli's coach at New York Tech Bob Hirschfield told The Advance after Urcioli was drafted. "He has a nice glove, a strong arm and a lot of range. All that, and his ability to hit, certainly caught the eye of the team's owner."
Urcioli ended up playing that season with independent Salt Lake City. He saw 63 games and hit .258.
He then moved back to Miami for 1991. He saw 73 games there, and ended with a .233 average.
For 1992, Urcioli stayed with the Miracle as the club moved to Fort Myers. He also got off to a slow start before he hit a two-run, 10th-inning game-winning double a May game, The Fort Myers News-Press wrote.
"I've been struggling since the beginning of the season," Urcioli told The News-Press afterward. "Just lately I've been hitting the ball well, and I just tried to make contact that last time up."
Urcioli saw 47 games in all for Fort Myers and hit .199. That season proved his last as a pro.
- Staten Island Advance, June 8, 1990: Minor league team drafts Urcioli
- Staten Island Advance, July 18, 1991: Urcioli living a minor Miracle in Miami
- Fort Myers News-Press, May 10, 1992: Miracle rally trips Expos 7-6 in 10
Made the Majors:1,426-31.9
Never Made Majors:3,046-68.1%-X
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