John Marzano

Infobox MLB retired
name=John Marzano


width=200
caption=
position=Catcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=February 14 1963
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
deathdate=death date and age|2008|4|19|1963|2|14
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
debutdate=July 31
debutyear=by|1987
debutteam=Boston Red Sox
finaldate=September 23
finalyear=by|1998
finalteam=Seattle Mariners
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.241
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=11
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=72
teams=
* Boston Red Sox (by|1987-by|1992)
* Texas Rangers (by|1995)
* Seattle Mariners (by|1996-by|1998)
highlights=
* 1995 - Triple-A All-Star C, American Association All-Star C

John Robert Marzano (February 14 1963 - April 19 2008) commonly referred to as Johnny Marz was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1987 to 1998 for the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners, generally as a backup catcher. He was a member of division champions with the by|1990 Red Sox and the by|1997 Mariners, batting .287 for the latter team.

In later years, Marzano was the usual guest of Phillies Post Game Live on Comcast SportsNet. He co-hosted a show with Rob Charry on Saturdays, and was also a regular guest on WIP-AM's morning show. He also commonly appeared on "AT&T Daily News Live" with Michael Barkann on Comcast SportsNet. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marzano graduated from Central High School, and briefly attended Holy Family College, studying radiologic technology. He also attended and played for the Owls of Temple University from 1982 to 1984. Marzano played as a catcher for the Temple Owls baseball team before getting drafted in the 1st round, 14th overall, in the 1984 entry draft by the Boston Red Sox of the American League.

He was a member of the silver medal-winning US Baseball Team at the 1984 Olympic Games. He founded the Marzano Baseball Academy [ [http://www.marzanobaseball.com Marzano Baseball Academy ] ] in 1991.

At the time of his death, Marzano was in his second year of work with Major League Baseball's BaseballChannel.tv. He co-hosted the show "Leading Off" with Vinny Micucci every weekday morning. [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/radio/mlb_radio_hosts.jsp The Official Site of Major League Baseball: Radio: MLB Radio Hosts ] ] Marzano became a cult hero in Seattle when he threw a haymaker at New York Yankees outfielder Paul O'Neill during a game in 1996. He is well-known in Seattle for this incident which occurred after O'Neill complained to the umpire about a pitch that was high and inside.

Marzano died unexpectedly at age 45 at his home on Passyunk Avenue in the city's South Philadelphia neighborhood. [cite web|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i1RsagVzE7SW_75kpfpgwHnwz3fAD9056O100|title=Former major leaguer John Marzano dies at 45 in Philadelphia|publisher=Associated Press|date=2008-04-19|Accessdate=2008-04-19] He was found after having fallen down a flight of stairs. It was originally speculated that he may have suffered a heart attack, but the Medical Examiner's Office reported on July 17, 2008 that his death was actually caused by postural asphyxia after the way his body landed after the fall. [ [http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/25609704.html Medical examiner says a fall killed John Marzano | Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/18/2008 ] ] His last public appearance was on "Daily News Live" on Thursday, April 17, from the Wachovia Center. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two grandchildren.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.marzanobaseball.com John Marzano Baseball Academy / Tribute Site]
* [http://mlb.com/stats/historical/mlb_player_locator_results.jsp?playerLocator=Marzano MLB.com] historical statistics
* [http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=9105 Baseball Reference] minor league statistics