After toiling in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization for seven years, DiFelice got his chance to platoon behind the plate with Tom Lampkin in 1997, but his unremarkable performance left him unprotected in the expansion draft that winter. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected him in the first round (20th overall), and installed him as their backup to John Flaherty for the next three years, before shipping him with Albie Lopez to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Nick Bierbrodt in July 2001. (AG)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»September 20, 1999: The Angels defeat the Devil Rays, 10-5, in a game marked by a confrontation between umpire John Shulock and TB C Mike DiFelice in the 3rd inning. Shulock was on his way out to the mound after being hit with a pitch from Devil Rays P Wilson Alvarez when he was intercepted by DiFelice. American League president Gene Budig will suspend Shulock for three games and fine him an undisclosed amount for his "overly aggressive behavior, display of temper, inappropriate remarks and physical contact."
»May 28, 2000:
The Devil Rays sink the Mariners, 14-4, scoring a team-record 11 runs in the 8th inning. Jose Mesa gives up nine runs in the inning and then is tossed for pitching too close to Mike DiFelice his 2nd time up. His 1st time up he homered.
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