Rico Joseph Brogna (born April 18, 1970), is an American former professional baseball first baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves, for 9 seasons (1992, 1994–2001). Brogna was drafted in the first round (26th overall) by the Tigers, in 1988. \n', '

Brogna attended Watertown High School in Watertown, Connecticut, where he played baseball, basketball and football. He was named to the All-State team as a quarterback and won the state championship in 1986. Brogna initially signed a letter of intent to play quarterback at Clemson University, but instead, chose to pursue a career in baseball.\n', '

On April 26, 1995, Brogna hit the first-ever home run at the Colorado Rockies’ new stadium, Coors Field, on its opening day. He was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a form of spinal arthritis, in 1991, and had to take medication for the condition on a daily basis. Concerns surrounding Brogna’s condition contributed to the decision of the Mets to trade him to the Phillies, following the 1996 season, but he recovered sufficiently to be an offensive contributor for several seasons, thereafter. Brogna became national spokesperson for the Spondylitis Association of America.\n', '

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