Key Takeaways
- Former MLB outfielder Jason Conti, who played for teams including the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, has passed away from a severe brain injury.
- After a 12-year professional baseball career, Conti pursued his passion for food and became the executive chef at The Craftsman Cocktails & Kitchen in Tempe.
- Conti’s demise was announced by former University of Pittsburgh teammate Kevin Kramer, leaving both the sports and culinary communities mourning his loss.
Jason Conti, a former Major League Baseball outfielder who later became an executive chef, has passed away after suffering a severe brain injury.
The devastating news was shared by his longtime friend and former University of Pittsburgh teammate, Kevin Kramer, who wrote:
“Today I share the worst news imaginable – my friend and Pitt teammate Jason Conti suffered a severe brain injury and is on life support. Unfortunately, he is not going to survive past the weekend. I’m devastated – as a team we are devastated. Rest in peace my friend.”
Via Facebook
Conti’s sudden passing has left the sports and culinary communities in mourning.
Living The Baseball Dream
Born on January 27, 1975, Stanley Jason Conti lived the dream that countless kids grow up chasing.
The Arizona Diamondbacks drafted Conti in the 32nd round of the 1996 MLB Draft, and his tenacity and talent carried him to the Major Leagues.
Over five seasons, he played for the Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers, making 182 appearances in the big leagues.
His best season came in 2002 with the Devil Rays, when he played in 78 games and hit .257.
Known for his defensive prowess, Conti gained recognition for his powerful throwing arm, once throwing out legendary hitters Brian Jordan and Frank Thomas on back-to-back nights from the outfield.
While Conti didn’t play in the 2001 World Series, he was on the Diamondbacks’ roster earlier that season and was awarded a World Series ring after the team’s unforgettable seven-game victory over the New York Yankees.
Kramer wrote in tribute,
“Lots and lots of kids grow up dreaming about becoming a professional baseball player. Jason Conti lived that dream. You will be missed my friend.”
Via Facebook
A Love For The Game And Food
Following a 12-year pro baseball career that took him from MLB stadiums to Triple-A fields and even the Italian Serie 1-A Championship League, Jason Conti found a new passion, food.
After hanging up his cleats, he returned to school at Arizona State University and worked in restaurants across the Valley, eventually becoming the executive chef at The Craftsman Cocktails & Kitchen in Tempe.
There, he brought the same energy and creativity to the kitchen that once powered him through big-league dugouts.
In an interview last year, Conti said,
“This menu has flavors I really enjoy, and it’s all over the place. Our goal is to have a collection of foods, and I try to use many of the ideas I’ve learned throughout the years.”
Conti’s culinary style was shaped by his life on the road as a ballplayer.
He loved traveling, trying regional dishes, and bringing those flavors home to reimagine in his own kitchen.
A Life Well-Lived
Whether sprinting down the base paths or refining a new recipe, Jason Conti poured passion into everything he did.
Even after reaching the pinnacle of professional sports, he remained humble and grounded.
In fact, he shared meals with old teammates, mentored others, and dedicated himself entirely to his second act as a chef.
His passing is a tremendous loss to those who knew and admired him.
Jason Conti is survived by his wife, Cari Rockwell Conti, family, and a wide circle of friends and admirers.
Rest in peace, Jason!
