Lafayette Drillers Flashback: Frank Riccelli

The Lafayette Drillers, a Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, called Lafayette, Louisiana their home for two years, from 1975-1976.

The Drillers, who played their home games at Clark Field, were co-champions of the Texas League in 1975 with the Midland Cubs, finishing 72-57, before going 58-76 in 1976, the last year of affiliated professional baseball in Lafayette.

A number of outstanding players, who eventually made it into Major League Baseball ranks played at Clark Field in 1975 & 1976, including five former Lafayette Driller players.

All summer long, we’re taking a look back at some of the former players for the Drillers.

Today, pitcher Frank Riccelli.

Riccelli, along with Julio Division, was the co-ace of the Drillers pitching staff in 1975, going 14-6, with a 3.26 ERA. as a 22-year old.

The Syracuse, New York native went on to pitch part of three seasons in Major League Baseball, spending 1976 with the San Francisco Giants, and 1978-1979 with the Houston Astros.

Riccelli appeared in 17 MLB games, starting five. He compiled a 3-3 record, with a 4.39 ERA.

The left-hander’s best season was with the Astros in 1979, going 2-2, with a 4.09 ERA., over 22 innings of work, and two starts.

Riccelli also pitched in the Senior Professional Baseball Association, which ran from 1989-1990.

In 1975 with the Drillers, Riccelli went 14-6, with a 3.26 ERA. In 26 games, he threw 185 innings, allowing 176 hits, 67 earned runs, and 87 walks, while striking out 120 hitters.