March 21, 2002 – On June 29, 1948, Johnny Antonelli, an 18-year-old phenom fresh out of high school in Rochester, New York, was signed by the Boston Braves for a bonus reported by various sources to be between $52,000 and $75,000. Whatever the actual amount, it eclipsed the salaries of all other Braves players. (Designed to prevent wealthier teams from signing all the top prospects, the Bonus Rule then in effect required the Braves to keep Antonelli on their roster for two years.)

Antonelli made his major-league debut five days after signing but would appear in only three more games the entire season. With Johnny Sain and Warren Spahn anchoring their staff, the Braves had little need for the untested youngster. He continued to languish on the bench for the next two years, making 42 appearances. It wasn’t until 1951, when he was drafted into the Army, that he was able to get consistent work by pitching for his post team at Fort Myer, Virginia.

Traded to the New York Giants in 1954, the southpaw suddenly flourished. He posted the best record of his career, winning 21 and losing 7, leading the league in ERA and shutouts, finishing third in the MVP vote, and winning The Sporting NewsPitcher of the Year Award. In the stunning Giants sweep over the Cleveland Indians, Antonelli pitched a complete-game, 3–1 win in the second game, then notched a save in the Game 4 clincher. After the Series, he received a hero’s welcome in his hometown as well as a new car from the Italian American Businessmen’s Association.

He won 20 games in 1956, beginning a string of four straight All-Star appearances, and averaged 17 wins in his first six seasons with the Giants. Antonelli split the 1961 season between the Indians and Braves, then decided to retire when he was sold to the New York Mets. In his 12-year career, he compiled a record of 126-110 with an ERA of 3.34. Between 1969 and 1974 he managed at the Double A and Triple A levels in the Mets minor-league system.