Cannizaro played in his first major league game on September 5, 2006,[4] playing at shortstop for two innings, without an at-bat, against the Kansas City Royals.[7] Cannizaro singled in the first at-bat of his career on September 8, 2006, against Brian Burres of the Baltimore Orioles, and later scored. He hit his first major league home run on September 25, 2006, off Jon Switzer in a 16–1 win against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.[8] Cannizaro signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2007-2008 offseason. He made his Rays debut on May 3, 2008. On August 4, 2008, Cannizaro was traded to the Cleveland Indians and assigned to Triple-A Buffalo.[4][9] On August 13, 2009, just one year after being traded to the Cleveland Indians Cannizaro was traded to the Chicago White Sox. In October 2009 Cannizaro was granted free agency.[4]
Coaching career
In 2014, Cannizaro was named hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at LSU.[10]
On November 5, 2016, Mississippi State University Athletic Director John Cohen, who had recently stepped down as head baseball coach, announced Cannizaro as his successor.
On February 19, 2018, Cannizaro resigned as the head coach of Mississippi State University's baseball team after it was discovered that he had an extramarital affair with a Mississippi State football staff assistant.[11] At the time he was married with two children, and his wife was reportedly pregnant with a third child.[12] His resignation was accepted immediately by Athletic Director John Cohen. His resignation came three games into the Diamond Dawgs’ season.
On February 22, 2019, Holy Cross High School of New Orleans announced that Cannizaro would become the school's head baseball coach starting June 1, replacing Trey Guillot.[13]
Family
Cannizaro has two younger brothers. Lee Cannizaro attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he played college baseball. His youngest brother, Garrett Cannizaro, 27, attended Tulane University where he played baseball.
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
Conference regular season champion
Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
Division regular season champion
Division regular season and conference tournament champion
Conference tournament champion