MLB Auction announced Monday that someone paid $16,510 for the machine that became Italy’s inanimate mascot during the WBC.
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This is not high-end equipment for coffee aficionados. It’s an inexpensive, plastic, one-button espresso machine, like one you’d find in an office break room. But he gained fame when Italy beat the United States to secure their place in the WBC knockout round and put the United States’ place in jeopardy. He remained on the Italy bench until the semi-finals.
The money went to a good cause and all profits were dedicated to the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center.
Until it was eliminated, a slugging Italian team rewarded home run hitters with a shot of espresso when they returned to the dugout.
Italy continued to use the machine as it advanced to the semifinals, where it lost to the same Venezuela team that defeated the United States in the championship match. And now the espresso machine that launched his career has been sold for a good cause.