K.C.
04-20-2008, 09:16 AM
Broadcaster John Marzano found dead
By Mari A. Schaefer
Inquirer Staff Writer
John Marzano, the former Central High School and Temple University star who became a major-league baseball catcher and a sports broadcaster, was found dead yesterday in his Passayunk Avenue home.
Police said Marzano, 45, was found in the doorway of the home just before noon by a family member who had called police.
Police said there was no indication the death was suspicious. It was not known whether he had fallen or had suffered a heart attack.
An autopsy was planned, police said.
Yesterday "Johnny Marz" was mourned as a passionate player and commentator who loved life and never forgot his South Philadelphia roots.
"It is a reminder how short and precious life is," said Marc Rayfield, market manager for CBS Radio, where Marzano contributed to WIP-AM (610).
"All of major-league baseball is in mourning," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "We are greatly saddened by this unforeseen tragedy."
Marzano was attending Philadelphia's Central High School when, in 1981, the Minnesota Twins drafted him in the third round. He instead elected to attend Temple University, where he is now a member of the Hall of Fame. He also played for Team USA in the 1984 Olympics.
Drafted 14th overall by the Boston Red Sox in 1987, he spent 10 years in the majors with the Red Sox, the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners. He also played two years in the farm systems of the Cleveland Indians and the Phillies.
Marzano recently started hosting "Leading Off" for MLB.com, a one-hour Webcast every morning with Vinny Micucci. He also provided color analysis for spring-training games.
He had done postgame analysis of Phillies games on WIP radio and Comcast SportsNet before joining MLB.com. Marzano also ran a baseball academy in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia.
"His energy, knowledge of the game and comedic touch produced admirable results," said Bob Bowman, CEO of MLB Advanced Media. "We miss him dearly already."
MLB.com has established an internship program in memory of Marzano.
"You knew the moment John entered the building because his infectious laugh permeated throughout our offices," Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia president Stephanie Smith said in a statement. "His love and passion for baseball and life were a winning combination that endeared him to staff and viewers alike."
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel worked with Marzano on the Charlotte triple-A team for about two months in 1993. He said Marzano "had a real good arm" and knew how to call a game.
"He was kind of a pepper-pot player," said Manuel. "He realized what he had to do to survive [in baseball]."
Phillies president David Montgomery said in a statement: "The Phillies family is saddened by the news of John Marzano's untimely death. John was an endeared member of the Philadelphia sports community who not only represented our city well as both an athlete and a broadcaster, but also had incredible passion for the games we play."
Kal Rudman, philanthropist and founder of the trade journal Friday Morning Quarterback, remembered Marzano as an excellent broadcaster and adoring father.
"The last time saw him, I congratulated him for landing the big national job of major-league baseball doing analysis on the Web," said Rudman. "He was thrilled."
Bob Pantano, host of Saturday Night Dance Party in Philadelphia on WOGL-FM (98.1) and a South Philadelphia native, said Marzano was like "the guy next door."
"He was a great human being," said Pantano. "He never lost his roots in South Philly and always gave back to the neighborhood."
Marzano is survived by his wife, Terri; daughters Dominique and Danielle; and two grandchildren.
Staff writers Michael Klein, Todd Zolecki and Jim Salisbury contributed to this story.
Contact Mari A. Schaefer at 610-892-9149 or mschaefer@phillynews.com.
That's a shame...Marzano came across as a pretty good guy, and a guy who loved baseball. He was a great analysis in a city full of reactionary douchebags when it comes to the sport.
http://media.philly.com/images/20080420_inq_salisbury20-b.JPG
http://media.philly.com/images/20080420_inq_pmarzano20-a.JPG
By Mari A. Schaefer
Inquirer Staff Writer
John Marzano, the former Central High School and Temple University star who became a major-league baseball catcher and a sports broadcaster, was found dead yesterday in his Passayunk Avenue home.
Police said Marzano, 45, was found in the doorway of the home just before noon by a family member who had called police.
Police said there was no indication the death was suspicious. It was not known whether he had fallen or had suffered a heart attack.
An autopsy was planned, police said.
Yesterday "Johnny Marz" was mourned as a passionate player and commentator who loved life and never forgot his South Philadelphia roots.
"It is a reminder how short and precious life is," said Marc Rayfield, market manager for CBS Radio, where Marzano contributed to WIP-AM (610).
"All of major-league baseball is in mourning," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "We are greatly saddened by this unforeseen tragedy."
Marzano was attending Philadelphia's Central High School when, in 1981, the Minnesota Twins drafted him in the third round. He instead elected to attend Temple University, where he is now a member of the Hall of Fame. He also played for Team USA in the 1984 Olympics.
Drafted 14th overall by the Boston Red Sox in 1987, he spent 10 years in the majors with the Red Sox, the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners. He also played two years in the farm systems of the Cleveland Indians and the Phillies.
Marzano recently started hosting "Leading Off" for MLB.com, a one-hour Webcast every morning with Vinny Micucci. He also provided color analysis for spring-training games.
He had done postgame analysis of Phillies games on WIP radio and Comcast SportsNet before joining MLB.com. Marzano also ran a baseball academy in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia.
"His energy, knowledge of the game and comedic touch produced admirable results," said Bob Bowman, CEO of MLB Advanced Media. "We miss him dearly already."
MLB.com has established an internship program in memory of Marzano.
"You knew the moment John entered the building because his infectious laugh permeated throughout our offices," Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia president Stephanie Smith said in a statement. "His love and passion for baseball and life were a winning combination that endeared him to staff and viewers alike."
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel worked with Marzano on the Charlotte triple-A team for about two months in 1993. He said Marzano "had a real good arm" and knew how to call a game.
"He was kind of a pepper-pot player," said Manuel. "He realized what he had to do to survive [in baseball]."
Phillies president David Montgomery said in a statement: "The Phillies family is saddened by the news of John Marzano's untimely death. John was an endeared member of the Philadelphia sports community who not only represented our city well as both an athlete and a broadcaster, but also had incredible passion for the games we play."
Kal Rudman, philanthropist and founder of the trade journal Friday Morning Quarterback, remembered Marzano as an excellent broadcaster and adoring father.
"The last time saw him, I congratulated him for landing the big national job of major-league baseball doing analysis on the Web," said Rudman. "He was thrilled."
Bob Pantano, host of Saturday Night Dance Party in Philadelphia on WOGL-FM (98.1) and a South Philadelphia native, said Marzano was like "the guy next door."
"He was a great human being," said Pantano. "He never lost his roots in South Philly and always gave back to the neighborhood."
Marzano is survived by his wife, Terri; daughters Dominique and Danielle; and two grandchildren.
Staff writers Michael Klein, Todd Zolecki and Jim Salisbury contributed to this story.
Contact Mari A. Schaefer at 610-892-9149 or mschaefer@phillynews.com.
That's a shame...Marzano came across as a pretty good guy, and a guy who loved baseball. He was a great analysis in a city full of reactionary douchebags when it comes to the sport.
http://media.philly.com/images/20080420_inq_salisbury20-b.JPG
http://media.philly.com/images/20080420_inq_pmarzano20-a.JPG