Daniel Descalso

Descalso was born in Redwood City, California,[http://cardinals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=518614 Daniel Descalso Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights]{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} MLB.com, (accessed September 24, 2010) on October 19, 1986, to Marylou and George Descalso.[http://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/descalso_daniel00.html Descalso Player Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105185041/http://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/descalso_daniel00.html |date=January 5, 2011 }} ucdavisaggies.com (accessed May 30, 2010) He is the oldest of six children.Schwab, Matt [https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Descalso-the-go-to-guy-for-powerhouse-St-Francis-2779074.php Descalso the go-to guy for powerhouse St. Francis] SFGate.com (accessed May 30, 2010) He played baseball in San Carlos Little League{{cite web|url=http://sancarlosblog.com/2010/09/from-san-carlos-little-league-to-the-st-louis-cardinals-daniel-descalso-makes-an-immediate-impact/|title=Descalso makes an immediate impact|year=2011|access-date=November 15, 2012}} and went to Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California.{{cite web|url=http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/652077.html|title=Cardinals Again Fly with Frontier|last=Walton|first=Brian|date=June 15, 2007|work=scout.com|access-date=May 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829110221/http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/652077.html|archive-date=August 29, 2008|url-status=dead}} He pitched as the team's number 1 starter for three straight seasons, and played 2nd base. He made the All-Central Coast Section squads twice, including first team as a senior, second team as a junior. He made the West Catholic Athletic League first teams in each of last two seasons, including WCAL MVP distinction in 2004. He also played football, winning first-team All-WCAL, second-team All-CCS and honorable mention All-Metro as a senior. He scored three touchdowns against their crosstown rivals during 2003 Homecoming game. He graduated in 2004.[http://www.sfhs.com/news/detail.aspx?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=2133&ModuleID=16&TeamID=146,146&NEWSPID=1 Descalso '04 was honored at Hot Stove] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716045941/http://www.sfhs.com/news/detail.aspx?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=2133&ModuleID=16&TeamID=146,146&NEWSPID=1 |date=July 16, 2011 }} sfhs.com (accessed May 30, 2010)

File:Daniel Descalso (468663784) (cropped).jpg in 2007]]

Descalso went on to UC Davis, where he played third base and majored in economics. In 2007, Descalso was named to the NCAA All-Independent First Team.{{cite web|url=http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/060707acf.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625084126/http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stories/060707acf.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 25, 2007|title=Descalso Taken By Cardinals In the Major League Baseball Draft|date=June 7, 2007|work=CBS College Sports|access-date=May 21, 2009}} He put up some of the best stats ever at UC Davis, with a .397 lifetime batting average and 92 career hits. His 22 doubles rank second all-time in school history.[http://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/060707aac.html Descalso Taken By Cardinals In the Major League Baseball Draft] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726220150/http://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/060707aac.html |date=July 26, 2011 }} ucdavisaggies.com (accessed May 30, 2010) Following his junior year, he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 3rd round (112th overall){{cite web|url=http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/719467.html|title=Best of the Rest… of Cards Prospects|last=Walton|first=Brian|date=January 13, 2008|work=scout.com|access-date=May 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513043617/http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/719467.html|archive-date=May 13, 2008|url-status=dead}} of the 2007 amateur entry draft. He was selected in the highest draft position ever for an Aggie player.

He is {{height|ft=5|in=10}} and 190 pounds.{{cite web |url=http://stltoday.stats.com/mlb/playerstats.asp?id=8831 |title=St. Louis Sports – Dan Descalso |publisher=Stltoday.stats.com |date=October 19, 1986 |access-date=October 9, 2011 |archive-date=October 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007153512/http://stltoday.stats.com/mlb/playerstats.asp?id=8831 |url-status=dead }}

Following the draft, Descalso began his professional career with the Batavia Muckdogs, the Short-Season A affiliate of the Cardinals in the New York–Penn League. He played 69 games for the Muckdogs in 2007, splitting time between third base and second base.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=descal001dan |title=Daniel Descalso Minor League Statistics & History |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=October 19, 1986 |access-date=September 18, 2010}}

In 2008, Descalso began with the Palm Beach Cardinals, the High-A affiliate of the Cardinals in the Florida State League. He played 115 games in Jupiter, where he batted .243 and played shortstop, 2nd base, and 3rd base. In August 2008, he was advanced to the Springfield Cardinals, the Double-A affiliate in Missouri. He played in just nine games, but hit .351.

In 2009 with Springfield, Descalso had eight home runs and 51 runs batted in with 288 at-bats over 73 games, all at second base. His line was an impressive .323/.396/.531. At the end of the 2009 season, he was named to the Double-A Texas League post-season all star team. However, he did not play in that game, instead was promoted to Triple-A Memphis in early July when Jarrett Hoffpauir was recalled by the Cardinals. After the call up, Descalso played most games at 2nd base, with 9 at 1st base.

Descalso was also named the 2009 Springfield Cardinals Player of the Year. He missed final two weeks of 2009 season to play for the gold medal winning team USA in the 2009 Baseball World Cup in Italy.Morgan, Marlon [http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/may/03/descalso-wants-clutch-situations/ Redbirds' Daniel Descalso wants clutch situations] Commercial Appeal, May 3, 2010 (accessed May 30, 2010)

The Cardinals invited Descalso to the 2010 spring camp, where he batted .500 with nine runs batted in during 14 games. Through the first two months of the 2010 AAA season, he exclusively played second base.

On September 18, Descalso's contract was purchased by the Cardinals and he was promoted to the major leagues.{{cite news |last=Wilhelm |first=David |url=http://www.bnd.com/2010/09/18/1405310/cardinals-promote-five-players.html |title=Cardinals promote five players from Class AAA Memphis – Breaking news |publisher=bnd.com |date=September 18, 2010 |access-date=September 18, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=January 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He officially made his major league debut on September 18, 2010, at home against the San Diego Padres when he was announced as a pinch hitter (although he did not bat and was replaced by right-handed batter Nick Stavinoha).Leach, Matthew [https://web.archive.org/web/20100924224911/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100922&content_id=14960206¬ebook_id=14960436&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl Descalso makes debut start at third] MLB.com, September 22, 2010 (accessed September 22, 2010) His first game as a starter was on September 22, 2010, against the Pirates at their park, where he garnered his first hit and first RBI with a two-run double. He started at third base, rather than his usual second base position. Nonetheless, his first MLB career fielding attempt was the front end of a 5-4–3 double play (Descalso–Schumaker–Pujols). He finished the year solidly, and remained on the 40-man roster.

File:Daniel Descalso during 2011 World Series victory parade.jpg parade]]

Because of his late-season performance, Descalso started the 2011 spring training with a legitimate chance to make the Cardinals. However, the Cards had a number of capable infielders fighting for roster spots, including David Freese, Tyler Greene, Double-A prospect Matt Carpenter, and off-season acquisitions Ryan Theriot and Nick Punto.Leach, Matthew [http://cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110202&content_id=16557130&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl Cards' additions look to make impact in 2011]{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} mlb.com, February 6, 2011 (accessed March 28, 2011) The difficulties were in determining a position and securing a spot. An injury to PuntoStrauss, Joe [http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/article_bbb4125c-435b-11e0-afe5-00127992bc8b.html Punto returns to Planet Jupiter] stltoday.com, February 28, 2011 (accessed March 28, 2011) and questions about Freese's durability left the Cards desperate for an extra utility infielder rather than an outfielder. Ultimately, Descalso secured a roster spot out of training camp.Goold, Derrick [http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_8b32337a-5977-11e0-b770-0017a4a78c22.html Cards cut Salas, Stavinoha; opening day roster set] stltoday.com, March 28, 2011 (accessed March 28, 2011)

Descalso hit his first major league home run on May 3 in St. Louis in the seventh inning. The three-run blast was a game winner that vaulted the Cardinals to a come-from-behind 7–5 win against the Florida Marlins.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110506171123/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_05_03_flomlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl Descalso's first homer lifts Cards over Marlins], MLB.com (May 3, 2011) In a July 7 game against the Cincinnati Reds, he stroked four hits with two RBI.{{cite web |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_07_06_cinmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl#gid=2011_07_06_cinmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=box |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709232347/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_07_06_cinmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl#gid=2011_07_06_cinmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=box |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 9, 2011 |title=Reds 9, Cardinals 8 boxscore |work=MLB.com |date=July 7, 2011 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}

Following the 2011 season, Descalso was a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award at third base for the National League, although the honor was awarded to Plácido Polanco of the Philadelphia Phillies.Rob Rains, [http://stlsportspage.com/four-cardinals-are-finalists-for-gold-glove-awards/ "Four Cardinals are finalists for Gold Glove awards–Update: Molina Wins"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130203183058/http://stlsportspage.com/four-cardinals-are-finalists-for-gold-glove-awards/ |date=February 3, 2013 }}, StLSportsPage, October 31, 2011

After playing regularly at second base during the 2012 season, Descalso played an integral role in the postseason. In Game 5 of the 2012 National League Division Series, where the Cardinals came back from a 6-run deficit to defeat the Washington Nationals 9–7, Descalso homered, doubled, and then hit a two-run single to tie the game.Jayson Stark, [https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8496237/st-louis-cardinals-showed-why-never-counted-game-5-nlds-mlb/ "Comeback Cards do it again"], ESPN MLB, October 13, 2012

File:Daniel Descalso Batting 2012.jpg

On May 21, 2013, Decalso hit his first career grand slam and tallied a career-high five runs batted in as the Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 10–2 at Petco Park.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/descalso-hits-slam-wainwright-wins-for-1st-time-at-petco-park-as-cardinals-beat-padres-10-2/2013/05/22/cb1fcd0a-c29b-11e2-9642-a56177f1cdf7_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219044507/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/descalso-hits-slam-wainwright-wins-for-1st-time-at-petco-park-as-cardinals-beat-padres-10-2/2013/05/22/cb1fcd0a-c29b-11e2-9642-a56177f1cdf7_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |title=Descalso hits slam, Wainwright wins for 1st time at Petco Park as Cardinals beat Padres 10-2 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 21, 2013| access-date=May 22, 2013}} Prior to the game, Descalso was batting just .197 with one home run. For his 2013 season statistics, Descalso batted .238 with five home runs and 42 runs batted in. He continued his versatility in the infield by making starts at second base, third base, and shortstop.

Descalso filed for a $1.65 million contract request following the season. The Cardinals and Descalso avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year, $1.29 million contract on January 30, 2014.{{cite news |last=Hummel |first=Rick |author-link=Rick Hummel |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cards-descalso-agree-to-million-deal/article_4c54ff8b-4ba7-514f-af7e-64b146dbfbc3.html |title=Cards, Descalso agree to $1.29 million deal |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=January 30, 2014 |access-date=February 2, 2014}} Descalso made his major league pitching debut against the Chicago Cubs in the top of the ninth inning with two outs on May 12, 2014. He threw two pitches, recording one out and allowing no hits. With a chance for increased playing time during interleague play against the Baltimore Orioles, he collected five hits in 10 at bats over an August 8–10 series.{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_10_slnmlb_balmlb_1&mode=wrap#gid=2014_08_10_slnmlb_balmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=stl |title=Cards' offense turns tables on O's in finale win |work=MLB.com |date=August 10, 2014 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}

In three consecutive days and four consecutive games, August 30 through September 1, 2014, Descalso became the first player in Cardinals history to start a game at each of the four infield positions.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_30_chnmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=box|title=MLB.com Gameday|work=mlb.com}}{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_30_chnmlb_slnmlb_2&mode=box|title=MLB.com Gameday|work=mlb.com}}{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_31_chnmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=box|title=MLB.com Gameday|work=mlb.com}}{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_09_01_pitmlb_slnmlb_1&mode=box|title=MLB.com Gameday|work=mlb.com}}

File:Descalso Pitching of cardinals 2014.jpg

Descalso signed a two-year deal with the Colorado Rockies on December 16, 2014. The deal totaled $3.6 million with the opportunity for another $1 million in performance bonuses.{{cite news |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |author-link=Jerry Crasnick |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12037447/colorado-rockies-agree-deal-shortstop-daniel-descalso |title=Daniel Descalso joins Rockies |work=ESPN.com |date=December 16, 2014}} Descalso appeared in 101 games in 2015, hitting a career worst .205 with five home runs and 22 runs batted in. Descalso began the 2016 season on the disabled list with a broken hand suffered in spring training.{{cite web |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/03/15/daniel-descalso-rockies-utility-infielder-out-with-small-break-in-hand/ |title=Daniel Descalso, Rockies utility infielder, out with small break in hand |work=Denver Post |first=Patrick |last=Saunders |date=March 15, 2016}} In 2016, Descalso appeared in 99 games, bouncing back offensively by hitting .264 with a career-high eight home runs and 38 RBI. Descalso served as a veteran presence on the Rockies,{{cite web |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/09/13/walt-weiss-rockies-veterans-nick-hundley-daniel-descalso-mark-reynolds/ |title=Rockies manager Walt Weiss praises impact of veterans Nick Hundley, Daniel Descalso and Mark Reynolds |work=Denver Post |first=Nick |last=Kosmider |date=September 13, 2016}} while also filling an important utility role, receiving time at six different positions over the course of his two seasons at Colorado.

On February 7, 2017, Descalso signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks with an option for 2018, and entered a heated competition for a bench spot on Opening Day.{{cite web |url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2017/02/07/arizona-diamondbacks-sign-daniel-descalso-adding-lefty-hitter/97617264/ |title=Arizona Diamondbacks sign Daniel Descalso, adding a lefty hitter |work=The Arizona Republic |first=Nick |last=Piecoro |date=February 7, 2017}} On April 30, 2017, Descalso hit a two-run home run for his first walk off against the Colorado Rockies. Descalso ended the season with a slash line of .233/.332/.395 while setting career highs with ten home runs and 51 runs batted in.

The Diamondbacks picked up Descalso's option and he returned to the team in 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/d-backs-pick-up-daniel-descalsos-18-option/c-260542370 |title=D-backs pick up Daniel Descalso's '18 option |website=MLB.com |language=en |access-date=July 12, 2018}} On May 4, 2018, Descalso pitched the top of the ninth inning after the pitcher was removed with one out. On seven pitches (six for strikes) Descalso retired the last two Astros hitters.Box score at www.mlb.com and attendance at the game at Chase Field.

On December 18, 2018, Descalso signed a two-year contract worth $5 million with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs have a $3.5 million option in 2021 with a $1 million buyout.{{cite web|last1=Bastain|first1=Jordan|title=Cubs agree to two-year deal with Descalso|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/daniel-descalso-signing-with-cubs/c-301964856?tid=282421090|website=MLB.com|publisher=MLB|date=December 18, 2018|access-date=December 18, 2018}} After 25 games into the 2019 season, Descalso was a solid second base presence and often was the lead-off batter in games. He had 19 hits in 71 at-bats with 10 base on balls, 10 runs batted in and a batting average of .268. It did not continue past the first 25 games though. He cooled off and finished the year with a .173 average and did not start in a game after June 30. Descalso was shut down to begin the 2020 season with a left ankle sprain and ended up missing the entire season due to the injury.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cubs-daniel-descalso-shut-down-with-ankle-sprain/|title = Cubs' Daniel Descalso: Shut down with ankle sprain| date=July 23, 2020 }}

On May 13, 2021, Descalso signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization and was assigned to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/twins-sign-daniel-descalso-to-minor-league-deal.html|title = Twins Sign Daniel Descalso to Minor League Deal| date=May 13, 2021 }} On June 22, Descalso opted out of his minor league contract with Minnesota and became a free agent.{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2021 |title=Daniel Descalso: Opts out of minor-league contract |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/daniel-descalso-opts-out-of-minor-league-contract/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=CBSSports.com}} In 24 games with the Saints, Descalso limped to an .093/.244/.200 batting line with 2 home runs and 4 RBI.

On February 16, 2023, Descalso joined the Arizona Diamondbacks as a baseball operations assistant.{{Cite web|title=Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers report for 2023 Spring Training|url=https://www.12news.com/article/sports/mlb/spring-training/arizona-diamondbacks-pitchers-and-catchers-report-for-2023-mlb-spring-training/75-8227e0eb-744d-4173-afcb-78ecf082757f|access-date=2023-02-22|website=12news.com|date=February 16, 2023 |language=en}}

On November 20, 2023, the Cardinals hired Descalso as their bench coach for the 2024 season.{{Cite web |last=Denton |first=John |date=November 20, 2023 |title=Cardinals hire '11 champ Descalso as bench coach |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/daniel-descalso-hired-as-cardinals-bench-coach |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

Descalso is married to Julia, with whom he has two sons and a daughter. In December 2021, a baseball fan and memorabilia collector named John Silva realized a baseball of unknown origin in his collection was the ball from Descalso's very first major league hit and he returned the ball to Descalso.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/lost-and-found-the-far-fetched-journey-a-treasured-baseball-took-from-descalsos-bat-and/article_75aa673b-83e8-5ad2-9147-8d910dc49cf7.html|title = Lost and found: The far-fetched journey a treasured baseball took from Descalso's bat and back into his hands 11 years later|first= Derrick|last= Goold|website= St. Louis Post-Dispatch| date= December 26, 2021}}

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