Lahman: Johnny Antonelli, Giants World Series hero, dies at 89

From SABR member Sean Lahman at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle on February 28, 2020:

Johnny Antonelli, an All-Star pitcher and World Series hero for the New York Giants, died in Rochester Friday morning.  His son-in-law, Monroe County judge Christopher Ciaccio announced the passing in a post to Facebook . Antonelli was 89.

A three-sport star at Jefferson High School, Antonelli drew the attention of baseball scouts from across the country to watch him pitch. The left-hander became the subject of a bidding war among major league teams after he graduated in 1948.  He received a sizable bonus for signing with the Boston  Braves, and rules at the time mandated that “bonus babies” spend two full seasons in the big leagues. He never appeared in a minor league game.

He pitched sparingly that first season, an 18-year old kid surrounded by veteran players, many of whom were earning salaries less than the big bonus check he’d just received.

Read the full article here: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/2020/02/28/johnny-antonelli-dies-new-york-giants-pitcher-world-series-hero-1954-rochester-ny-businessman/4902150002/



Originally published: February 28, 2020. Last Updated: February 28, 2020.