Anthony Joseph Graffanino (; born Graffagnino, June 6, 1972) is a former American Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. Career Graffanino was primarily a contact hitter (just 481 strikeouts in 2787 big-league at-bats) who was able to get on base (career .336 OBP) – and his speed was above average, with 53 stolen bases in 78 attempts. He excelled as a situational hitter, being capable of hitting behind the runner and dropping down a bunt. As a fielder, he had the ability to play every infield position and left field. He had an above-average arm, which helped him in LF and on the left side of the infield. During Graffanino's minor league career, he spent time with Pulaski in , the Idaho Falls Braves of the Pioneer League in , the Macon Braves of the South Atlantic League in , the Durham Bulls in and the Greenville Braves of the Southern League in . After spending three years with the Atlanta Braves, seasons with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and another with the Chicago White Sox, Graffanino played only second base for the Kansas City Royals in , but moved around more in . Obtained by the Boston Red Sox for Chip Ambres and Juan Cedeño after the All-Star Game, he started at second base following the cut of Mark Bellhorn. In 2005, Graffanino hit .298 for the Royals and .319 with the Red Sox for a combined .309 (117-for-379), a career high. He also posted career numbers in RBI (38), runs (68), doubles (17), games (110), and hits. He made an error in the fifth inning of Game Two of the 2005 American League Division Series which led to three unearned runs. The runs came on a two-out, three-run home run by White Sox 2B Tadahito Iguchi which proved to be the game-winning hit. The Red Sox were swept in that series. Graffanino was claimed off waivers by the Royals prior to the start of the 2006 season. He hit .268 in 69 games for the Royals before being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers at the All-Star Break for left-handed pitcher, Jorge De La Rosa. In , Graffanino struggled to begin the year, but after the call up of talented prospect Ryan Braun, Graffanino seemed to be invigorated and raised his sub .200 batting average to over .240 over a month's time. He slugged nine home