Johnny Antonelli

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John August Antonelli (born April 12, 1930 in Rochester, New York) is a former left-handed starting pitcher who played for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves, New York and San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Indians.

Antonelli received the biggest bonus in history to that point when he signed with the Braves for $65,000 in 1948. Rules at the time mandated that he spend two full years on the big league club for receiving a large bonus, but he was little used and then served in Korea. By the time he became a regular in 1953, he showed little of his initial promise. He was dealt to the Giants along with several other players for Bobby Thomson.

The trade ended up being a steal for the Giants. Thompson fractured his ankle early in the 1954 season while Antonelli went 21-7, led the league in ERA (2.30), was selected an All-Star, and led the Giants to a pennant, facing the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. Antonelli started and won Game 2, then came into Game 4 as a reliever to shut down an Indian rally, as the Giants pulled off a surprising sweep. Antonelli pitched well for several more years, making four straight All-Star teams from 1956-59, before his skills suddenly faded.

After his baseball career, Antonelli returned to Rochester and for many years ran a chain of Firestone Tire stores bearing his name.

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball ERA champions

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference