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Article: Natale Just Needed A Chance.
- Article from:
- Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT)
- Article date:
- April 29, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 The Hartford Courant. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Tom Puleo
Apr. 29--Hamden's Jeff Natale batted .412 or better in four seasons of varsity baseball at Trinity College. But on draft day in 2005, he waited 32 rounds to hear his name called by the Red Sox.
It's not surprising, coming from a Division III program. Major league players typically come from high school, Division I colleges or junior colleges.
Natale, who is 5 feet 10 and 180 pounds, has made the most of his opportunity. He was Boston's 2006 minor league offensive player of the year after leading the farm system in hits, RBI, walks and on-base percentage.
He entered this season with a .324 average in two years at Class ...