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Mark Ciardi

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Mark Ciardi
Pitcher
Born: (1961-08-19) August 19, 1961 (age 63)
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 9, 1987, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Last MLB appearance
April 27, 1987, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record1–1
Earned run average9.37
Strikeouts8
Teams

Mark Thomas Ciardi (pronounced CHAR-dee; born August 19, 1961) is an American film producer and former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently the Founder and President of Select Films. Mark has a rich breadth of experience as a Film Executive, and Producer. Select Films is an independent content production firm that also serves as a financier for media properties. Prior to Select Films, Ciardi was the co-founder of Mayhem Pictures that had an overall first look deal with Walt Disney Studios for twelve years. At Mayhem, Ciardi produced several sports films for Walt Disney Pictures including The Rookie, Miracle, Invincible, The Game Plan, Secretariat, Million Dollar Arm, McFarland, USA, and Safety.

Recently, Mark produced A Million Miles Away for Amazon Studios, as well as Chappaquiddick, The Miracle Season, and the Lionsgate film American Underdog. He also produced the Emmy Award winning ESPN 30-For-30 documentary entitled Big Shot and the 30-For-30 entitled 42 to 1.

A native of Piscataway, New Jersey, Ciardi was an All-State high school pitcher, graduating from Piscataway Township High School as part of the class of 1979.[1]

He continued his baseball career at the University of Maryland, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was drafted in 1983 by the Milwaukee Brewers organization and was called up to the major leagues in 1987. He retired the following year due to an injury.

Ciardi is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and serves on the board of trustees at the University of Maryland. Mark is married with two children and resides in Los Angeles.

Filmography

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He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

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Year Film Credit
2002 The Rookie
The New Guy
2004 Miracle
2006 Invincible
2007 The Game Plan
2010 Secretariat
Tooth Fairy
2014 Million Dollar Arm
2015 McFarland, USA
2016 Fallen
2017 Chappaquiddick
2018 The Miracle Season
2020 The Way Back Executive producer
Safety
2021 American Underdog
2023 A Million Miles Away
The Senior
TBA Heat
Wish List
As an actor
Year Film Role
1998 Welcome to Hollywood Operation Redline Production Crew
2000 Me, Myself & Irene Softball Player
2002 The Rookie Tim Stewart
2005 Fever Pitch 1980's Sox Player

Television

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Year Title Credit Notes
2013−18 30 for 30 Executive producer Documentary
2020 Legacy Executive producer Documentary
Benedict Men Executive producer Documentary

Major League Baseball career

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Ciardi played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1987. He opened the season on the Milwaukee Brewers roster in which they started the season with 13 consecutive wins, winning the eighth game in that streak against the Orioles, but losing the 14th game of the season. The opening 13–game winning streak is a record that still stands today. Ciardi remained in the big leagues for one month that year then retired the following year due to a shoulder injury. In 2023, the record was tied by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who were the subject of the first film that Ciardi produced.

References

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  1. ^ O'Donnell, Chuck. "Mark Ciardi: A life worthy of a Hollywood script", Courier News, July 22, 2016. Accessed August 15, 2016. "Mark Ciardi pitching for Piscataway High School. After graduating in 1979, he went on to pitch at the University of Maryland.... Ciardi, who turns 55 in August, grew up on Mitchell Avenue in Piscataway."
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