Rick Carone

January 17, 1971 - June 29, 2017

Rick Carone was born in Chicago, IL, on January 17, 1971. At a very young age, Rick found his passion for the outdoors, hunting, and fishing, along with his God-gifted ability to play sports, especially football, and baseball. After high school, Rick attended Illinois State University on a baseball scholarship after turning down a couple of football scholarships. He then attended Triton College, where he caught the eye of Don Kessinger, Head Coach of Ole Miss. He played at the University of Mississippi until he left early when selected in the MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox in June of 1993.

After three years and four seasons of minor league baseball, Rick returned to his home in Arlington, TX, at the end of the 1996 baseball season, where he pursued a degree in Business Marketing from Texas Wesleyan University, which he received in 1997. He went on to have two beautiful daughters, Karsyn and Tyler, while he continued to follow his passions of baseball and the outdoors while getting his degree. Rick’s passion was the outdoors; whether providing private baseball lessons for youth and many college and professional baseball players or the next big hunt, he was home on the field or the hills.



In May 2013, Rick was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. At this point, Rick dedicated the rest of his life to inspiring others battling cancer. Rick and his supporters helped him create Batting Practice for a Cause with MLB teams for kids battling cancer, supporting local children’s hospitals.

Rick passed away doing what he loved most, giving back on the baseball field.

In honoring their dear friend and loved one, the Friends of Rick Carone have chosen Italy for the Memorial Victory Trip, a place he loved and where he still has a family.