To say the late John Antonelli had baseball in his blood would be like saying Johnny Cash can sing; it’s stating the obvious. Antonelli’s love for professional baseball kept him in the game throughout his life in various capacities. The native Memphian was a player, coach, manager, and instructor. He began his pro baseball career in 1935 when he signed with the Chicks straight out of Catholic High School. Antonelli, who was both a pitcher and an infielder, later advanced to the major leagues and played in 135 games with the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies in 1944 and 1945. Although he left baseball for private practice, it was forever in his heart, and he returned as manager of the Memphis Blues from midway through the 1969 season through the 1972 season when the Class AA franchise was a part of the Mets farm system. With the Blues, Antonelli was involved in two Texas league division titles in 1969 and 1970. After leaving Memphis in 1972, he was manager of the Class AAA Tidewater team in the International Association, where he stayed for two years. He completed his twelve years as a manager, with two years as leader of the Jackson, Mississippi, Mets in 1975 and 1976. He also worked as instructor for the New York Mets farm system. Memphis’s own John Antonelli, a man whose love for the game made him a true baseball “lifer.”
