When the Athletics selected Fordham third baseman Daniel Bucciero in the ninth round of the 2025 MLB Draft on July 14, he became the 38th Ram to be drafted by a major league team—and the first since pitcher Matt Mikulski in 2021.
Bucciero, a Connecticut native, completed his junior season in May. He started all 58 games for the Rams, earning the team’s most valuable player award. He achieved career-best numbers in several offensive categories, including batting average (.320), RBIs (37), and stolen bases (35).
A business administration major, Bucciero also thrived in the classroom. He was a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection and a three-year member of the Atlantic 10 Commissioner‘s Honor Roll.
Rams Making Their Mark in Major League Baseball
After signing a contract with the Athletics, Bucciero will begin in the club‘s minor league system, with the potential to work his way up to the majors. If he does, he’ll join two former Rams currently playing at the major-league level—and another who recently stepped into a managerial role.
Veteran pitcher Nick Martinez has been a steady presence in the Cincinnati Reds’ rotation this season, posting a 9-9 record in 21 starts so far. Highlights include a July 19 win against the New York Mets at Citi Field and an 8-1 victory over the San Diego Padres in which he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning.
Another former Ram, Greg Weissert, has continued to impress as a relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. As of late July, he has three wins and three saves, including one against the New York Yankees (his former team) on June 14.
Ray Montgomery’s Journey to Major League Manager
This week marked 1991 Fordham graduate Ray Montgomery’s return to New York City as interim manager of the Los Angeles Angels.
In leading the Angels against the Mets at Citi Field Monday night, he became the first former Ram to manage a major league team in the city since Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch, the “Fordham Flash,” led the Chicago Cubs against the New York Giants on July 18, 1951.
Montgomery’s 34-year journey from star Fordham infielder to MLB manager has included 12 seasons as a minor league player, a brief stint in the majors with the Houston Astros, and years as a scout and scouting director. He joined the Angels in 2020 and had been manager Ron Washington’s bench coach until last month, when Washington went on medical leave for the remainder of the season.
“He’s got great relationships with the guys,” Angels star Mike Trout said of Montgomery. “We’re not missing anything or skipping a beat.”
Save the Dates: Alumni Baseball Outings in D.C. and NYC
Fordham baseball fans, take note: On August 19, the alumni chapter of Washington, D.C., is hosting an outing to Nationals Park to see the Nats take on the New York Mets. And on September 11, the Fordham University Alumni Association will host its annual Fordham Night at Yankee Stadium, where the Bronx Bombers will face the Detroit Tigers.
