"I've never seen a kid with so much equipment. The most unusual thing is he knows what to do with it." - Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell

Johnny was a left-handed starting pitcher who played for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves, New York and San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Indians between 1948 and 1961. He was a six-time National League All-Star, a two-time 20-game-winner, and an important member of the 1954 world champion Giants' pitching staff.

Born in Rochester, New York, John August “Johnny” Antonelli was born on April 12, 1930, in Rochester, New York, to Augustino “Gus” Antonelli and Josephina Messore. Rochester was his hometown for most of his life. Johnny served in the United States Army for two years during the Korean War.

Antonelli was traded to the Giants before the 1954 season. The Giants had to give up popular outfielder Bobby Thomson in the deal, but Antonelli won 21 games, leading the National League (NL) in earned run average (ERA) (2.30) and winning percentage (.750) as the Giants won the NL pennant. In the World Series against the Indians, he outpitched Hall of Famer Early Wynn in Game 2 and got the save in Game 4 as New York swept the series.

He won 20 games for a sixth-place team in 1956, the first of four straight years he would be selected to the NL All-Star Team. After the Giants moved to San Francisco to begin the 1958 season, Johnny won 16 games and 19 games his first two years with the ballclub and he led the league in shutouts in both 1954 & 1959. He was slated to be one of the original New York Mets in 1962, but he retired instead, opting to return to Rochester and focus on his Firestone business, which he would run for 40 years.

Pitcher Johnny A. Antonelli (this article), who played more than a decade in the major leagues, is not to be confused with John L. Antonelli the infielder, and it is the infielder John L that played in the 40's and was mentioned in the Jazz song "Van Lingle Mungo."

(excerpted from SABR, BR Bullpen & Wikipedia)