You will not discover it in any historical past e-book, however July 4, 1948, is critical date in Rochester historical past.
It is the day when Johnny Antonelli, the best fashionable baseball participant in Rochester historical past, made his main league debut.
Antonelli, a six-time All-Star who completed his 12-year profession with a 126-110 report and a 3.34 ERA, stays one among a handful of massive league gamers who by no means appeared in a minor league recreation.
Antonelli would not have been there with out his dad
Veteran sports activities author Sal Maiorana stated Gus knew his son Johnny was particular.
The elder Antonelli rented out Crimson Wing Stadium, dwelling of the triple-A Rochester Crimson Wings, and arranged an exhibition recreation that includes Rochester-area semi-pros, and invited fowl canine from all of the big-league golf equipment to attend so they might get a real indication of Johnny’s expertise.
Johnny labored his magic, tossing a 17-strikeout no-hitter.
Boston Braves scout Jeff Jones was wowed, and he satisfied workforce president Lou Perini that he needed to have Johnny. It price Perini $55,000 — that is equal to $716,000 in the present day — to signal Antonelli.
Johnny Antonelli’s main league debut
Whereas Antonelli was dwelling his dream, his debut on July 4, 1948, wasn’t actually dreamy.
He got here in within the ninth inning of doubleheader in opposition to the Phillies at Shibe Park and surrendered an earned run on two hits and a stroll in Boston’s 7-2 loss.
What they stated after Antonelli’s first recreation
“You’ll be able to’t inform something about any pitchers means in a single look,” Braves supervisor Billy Southworth stated after the sport. “However he appeared to have great things and what I favored most about him was his poise.”
Phillies supervisor Ben Chapman stated, “He had good kind and appeared to know what it was all about, however he did not appear too quick to me and the curves that he threw hung within the air. However gosh, you possibly can’t go judgment on a teen solely 18 by one inning. I want him all of the luck, besides when he pitches in opposition to the Phillies.”
A troublesome first 12 months for Johnny Antonelli
When he joined the Braves, former Democrat and Chronicle reporter Sean Lahman stated Antonelli was an 18-year-old child surrounded by veteran gamers, a lot of whom have been incomes salaries lower than the large bonus verify he’d simply obtained.
“Warren Spahn, the Braves ace, would not discuss to him,” stated his son-in-law, Monroe County Surrogate Courtroom Decide Christopher Ciaccio.
Antonelli made three appearances in August, however pitched solely 4 innings whole in 1948, as he continued to take care of jealous teammates because of his bonus.
“He dealt with it so adroitly as a younger man, with such class,” Ciaccio stated.
Antonelli breaks out in 1954
His best years did not come till he was traded to the New York Giants in 1954.
Backed by sluggers Willie Mays and Monte Irvin, the younger left-hander dominated opposing hitters and earned a spot on the Nationwide League All-Star workforce. He completed the season with a won-loss report of 21-7 and a league-leading 2.30 ERA. The Giants would go on to comb the then-Cleveland Indians within the World Sequence, with Antonelli pitching a whole recreation in Sport 2 and shutting out Sport 4.
Johnny Antonelli’s legacy
Johnny Antonelli remained a visual presence in Rochester all through his life, and was a well-liked visitor at fundraising dinners, the place he would enthrall crowds with tales about his baseball days.
He used his cash from profitable the World Sequence to begin a tire enterprise at Keeler Road and North Clinton Avenue. It grew to become the Johnny Antonelli Tire Co., with 28 areas throughout New York state.
The tire firm held Johnny Antonelli Night time yearly at Crimson Wings video games on the outdated Silver Stadium and gave away prizes like tires and TVs. The corporate additionally began a promotion with radio station WVOR known as “Captain Pleasant,” during which retailer managers cruised round in a van and helped stranded motorists.
Captain Pleasant by no means charged for the roadside help
“He was so good with individuals,” stated former Democrat and Chronicle sports activities columnist Scott Pitoniak. “If I consider one phrase to explain him it could be ‘class.’ He was genuinely form to individuals.”
Johnny Antonelli died Feb. 28, 2020.
Sal Maiorana is a veteran Democrat and Chronicle sports activities author who has lined the Buffalo Payments for greater than three a long time.
Sean Lahman is a former investigative reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle and served as an editor of quite a few best-selling sports activities encyclopedias — together with Whole Baseball: The Official Encyclopedia of Main League Baseball and The ESPN Professional Soccer Encyclopedia.
Invoice Wolcott is 30-year journalist who works as a producer on the Democrat and Chronicle.