Dom Balsamo, SVP of Global Media Partnerships at Major League Baseball, is this year’s Italian American Baseball Foundation Executive of the Year. He will be honored at the IABF Gala on December 5 at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.
Balsamo started with Major League Baseball in 2001 and is in his 23rd season with the league. He has worked across many disciplines, including public relations, game development, events, sponsorship, and media partnerships; always with a strong focus on the league’s international footprint, including work across all five World Baseball Classics.
Dom played catcher and outfield for four years (1995-98) at Columbia University, serving as team captain as a junior and senior.
“I look forward to the IABF Gala every year, as it generates enthusiastic support for baseball across the Italian American community and presents the opportunity to connect with great people in celebration of the deep connection between our culture and the game we love,” said Balsamo, a Brooklyn native. “I’m truly honored to be considered amongst this year’s distinguished group of honorees.”
On his father’s side, both sets of great-grandparents came from Italy. His grandmother’s parents — Giuseppina Intelanzano from Messina, Sicily and Carmelo Zumbo (changed to Zummo) from Catania, Sicily, both came to America in 1902. His grandfather’s parents — Rosalia Messina, from Palermo, Sicily, and Domenico Balsamo from Terrasini, the province of Palermo, both in 1905).
Past IABF Executive honorees include Gary Perone (Ferryhawks), Jon Morosi (MLB Network), Natalie Spedaliere (MLB Network), JP Ricciardi (SF Giants), Mike Rizzo (Nationals), Jim Small (MLB International) and Sal Agostinelli (Phillies).
The 2024 IABF Gala lineup will be star-studded as usual, with Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, Dave Righetti, Joe Castiglione, Paul Mainieri, Sal Frelick, and Spencer Jones also receiving honors. More honorees will be announced in the coming weeks!
