Lenny DiNardo

New York Mets

In 1998, the Boston Red Sox selected DiNardo in the 10th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign, opting to attend Stetson University instead. Three years later, he would sign with the New York Mets when they selected him in the 3rd round. In the summer of 2001, DiNardo made his professional debut with the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Mets Single-A affiliate.

In 2002, he played for the Columbia Mets in the South Atlantic League, another Single-A farm team of the Mets.

Boston Red Sox

In 2003, he split time between St. Lucie (Single-A) and Binghamton (Double-A). He pitched well enough to warrant being selected by the Boston Red Sox during the Rule 5 draft on December 15.

As is the requirement with Rule 5 selections, DiNardo would remain on the Red Sox major league roster during the entire 2004 season. He began the season on the disabled list and made his major league debut on April 23 against the New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium. DiNardo spent much of the second half of the season back on the disabled list. Nevertheless, the lanky left-hander received a World Series ring for his contributions to the 2004 World Series Champion Red Sox.

Having satisfied the requirement of keeping DiNardo on the major league roster, the Red Sox sent the pitcher to Triple-A Pawtucket to start the 2005 season. He was recalled to the major league club five different times during the year.

In 2006, DiNardo made six starts in place of the injured David Wells. However, he spent a lot of time on the disabled list himself, due to a neck injury. DiNardo played for Italy at 2006 World Baseball Classic.

To prepare for the 2007 MLB season, DiNardo played for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.

Oakland Athletics

On February 14, 2007, the Oakland Athletics claimed DiNardo off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. DiNardo finished the season having made 20 starts and 15 relief appearances, logging 131.1 innings with an 8-10 record and an ERA of 4.11.

Kansas City Royals

He signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals on December 17, 2008. He spent the last month of the 2009 season up in the bigs. DiNardo again represented Italy at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Second stint with the Athletics

On January 8, 2010, DiNardo, signed a minor league contract to return to the Oakland Athletics, the deal included an invite to spring training.

Second stint with the Red Sox

On December 15, 2010, DiNardo, signed a minor league contract to return to the Boston Red Sox. However, on April 1, 2011 he was released.

Long Island Ducks

On April 14, 2011, DiNardo signed with the Long Island Ducks.

Third stint with the Athletics

DiNardo signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics on May 21, 2011.

Lamigo Monkees

DiNardo played for the Lamigo Monkees of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in 2012.

Lancaster Barnstormers

He played for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the independent Atlantic League in 2013, going 5-9 with a 5.25 ERA in 20 games (19 starts). He tossed the franchise's first ever no hitter on May 8, 2013 against The Long Island Ducks. He retired in August of that year.

Music

DiNardo plays guitar and has been a part of the annual Hot Stove Cool Music concert in Boston, Massachusetts for several years. He's performed with Evan Dando of The Lemonheads, Juliana Hatfield of The Blake Babies, Joe Keefe and Sebastion Keefe of Family of the Year, Kay Hanley and Stacy Jones of Letters to Cleo, Bill Janovitz of Buffalo Tom. He sang back up vocals on the Dropkick Murphys 2004 hit Tessie along with Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Damon, and on Dirty Water off Bronson Arroyo's debut album Covering the Bases and played rhythm guitar on Model Citizen off Peter Gammons debut album Never Slow Down, Never Grow Old.

Pitching Instruction

DiNardo is currently a pitching instructor in Fort Myers and Naples, Florida; As well as South Kingstown, Rhode Island.