When Mike Costanzo, Jr. was born, his parents brought him home from the hospital wearing an infant-sized Phillies jacket, writes Jon Caroulis for Billy Penn.

His parents, Mike Sr. and Rhonda Costanzo, who now live in Glen Mills, watched him play ball in college, the minors and in the major league.

“I gave my first hit ball to my dad and my bat from my first at-bat, on Mother’s Day, which had her name on it, I gave to my mom,” said Costanzo.

The third baseman was eventually drafted by the Phillies, but never got to play for them.

Yet part of him still made it to Citizens Bank Park this season, through his family’s wine business.

Costanza retired from baseball in 2014 but was inspired to grow his family’s winery in Italy into a potential global brand.

Briganti Wines arrived in the U.S. in May of 2023, with Costanzo’s father helping out with marketing and PR.

Thanks to his Phillies connections, he was able to get the wine sold at Citizen’s Park, now “A Preferred Wine of the Phillies.”

Briganti Wines is also available at Subaru Park in Chester, home of the Philadelphia Union.

Read more about Mike Costanzo Jr’s baseball career and wine success in Billy Penn.