John Marzano...RIP

by jonk on Apr 19, 2008 3:14 PM EDT

According to reports:

"John Marzano, the former Olympian, Major League baseball player turned baseball analyst, has died. He was 45.

Marzano, a native of South Philadelphia, was found dead inside his home on Passyunk Ave. in the city, a published report indicates. It was there, the report states, that a family member called police to break down the door where Marzano apparently fell. It has not been determined if Marzano suffered a heart attack or simply fell.

Marzano graduated from Philadelphia’s Central High School and Temple University, where he was a member of the school’s athletic Hall of Fame. As a catcher for Temple, Marzano earned a spot on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team before being drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round (14th overall pick) of the 1984 draft.

Marzano played in the big leagues for the Red Sox, Rangers and Mariners. He also played in the minors for the Indians and Phillies organizations.

Following his playing days, Marzano worked as an analyst for Comcast SportsNet on Phillies Post Game Live. He also appeared regularly on Philadelphia radio station 610-WIP. For the past two years Marzano worked for Major League Baseball’s web site where he co-hosted a show with Vinny Micucci every morning."

Johnny Marz was everything that sabre people disliked about analysts, but obviously that matters not when it comes down to life. I am sure more details will start coming out, but nobody likes to see a life end early, especially at the age of 45.

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Definitely surprising.

Huge Tiny Mistake

by pacino on Apr 19, 2008 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

Wow

Never liked the guy as a commentator, but never would have wished this upon anyone. How sad!

by David S. Cohen on Apr 19, 2008 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

he was true philly fan

Love him or hate him Jonny Marz will be missed, I personaly will miss him he was a great guy and a true philadelphian. not to mention a huge philly sports fan….RIP …..Johnny Marz

by chrisper on Apr 19, 2008 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Love the kid

whatever jerkoff that wouldnt like johnny is absolutley out of their mind .one of the most grounded inteligent knowlegable baseball minds in todays game as we knew it . and its sickening to think that anybody would have the balls to utter a bad word about a fine gentleman as he was ....... I just pray that the view from Marz looks like heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!Love ya homey

by mattyzees on Apr 20, 2008 12:24 AM EDT reply actions

This jerkoff must have left his mind like 9 or 10 planets ago.

Let me reiterate a point. I am sure Marzano was a great guy (only because I hear so much about it). For that alone, may he be mourned more than the average individual. However, separate that from the analyst John Marzano who won’t be missed at all.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 20, 2008 6:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Jerkoff

That you are! Anyone who knows anything about baseball acknowledged he was one of the most insightful analysts to come on the scene in the last 20 years. Most times it’s not the superstar player with all the talent that makes the best manager or analyst. You obviously shot the best part of your brain out of your dick decades ago. Most of the true experts agree Johnny Marz was one of the best. You Sir, are a true dick.

Moreover (that might be a big term for you Jerkoff) he was personable, funny and approachable. Not the uppity jackass that most athletes are. I’ve met plenty in my business. I never met John but wish I had. Keep whacking, dickwheat.

by BBFan69 on Apr 26, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Incredibly sad news. Condolences to his friends and family.

by WholeCamels on Apr 20, 2008 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

johnny marz

If you don’t like him as a baseball analyst I question your intelligence, the guy was down to earth, funny, insightful, plus had an ability to connect with the fans that very few broadcasters have. I didn’t know him personally but his passing has deeply saddened me…...

by jake1 on Apr 20, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

I think you certainly hit 3 out of 4 which is an average Marzano would be proud of. He seemed down to earth, funny and had the ability to connect with the fans. Let me reiterate that this has nothing to do with Marzano per se but his general take on baseball. I am not sure if you are new to this site, but his opinion is the type of stuff we rebuke as much as we possibly can. It is based on subjective analysis and rooted completely in biased opinion. Basic stats are often misued and applied incorrectly. I don’t blame Marzano for that as he isn’t the one who first came up with the idea that runs and rbis are valuable stats. However, in today’s day and age, there is little reason to not have a better understanding of what objective analysis is about.

I mean, honestly, he said Abreu was padding his doubles stats. As completely absurd as that sounds (and it does sound that absurd), how could he even know if that was true. It’s not like he said there was a chance, he stated it as fact. When Marcus Hayes laughs at your “analysis” well, you are in trouble.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 20, 2008 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

there are different aspects of analysis

and sometimes ex-players, even non- or anti-sabermetric ones, do have a great deal of insight into certain aspects of the games – insights that no one here, I expect, would denigrate or minimize. I’m thinking particularly of off-the-field commentary about life in the lockerroom and on the road, and on-the-field stuff like a pitcher’s mechanics (something Marzano, as an ex-catcher, was well-suited to comment upon) or the rituals that baseball players observe, or the various responsibilities on the field for executing elements of defense or baserunning. I only caught Marzano a few times on the tube, but he did have some genuine insights on some of those sorts of issues; I think he was a good example of how a commentator can miss out on the sabermetric revolution and what it tells us about baseball strategy, and yet still bring a good deal of value as an observer of other areas.

"I am the Walrus?..... I am the Walrus." - Donny Kerabatsos

by The Navigator on Apr 21, 2008 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Can someone inform me if I got this right?

As I was getting out of the car, I hear them say that instead of people sending flowers, that there is a fund being set up for Marzano’s grandchildren. I missed the rest, but I can only assume it was meant for people to send donations in.

Ok, Marzano passing away is awful for him and his family and I understand that many people will miss him on and off television. But to ask for donations to a guy’s grandkids who played professional baseball AND had a seemingly lucrative career as an analyst is ridiculous in my mind. Tragedy occurs in a lot of places and people lose loved ones way too early in life. Most are not in a place where a fund can be set up and I have to assume that many people out there need it more than Marzano’s granchildren (who I can only assume have their parents working still). This doesn’t sit well with me. Instead of announcing this, Comcast or the Phillies should just donate money to this fund instead of asking people to send in money in a time of recession to a guy’s grandkids who most of us don’t know more than him being on TV or maybe shook his hand once.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 21, 2008 12:26 AM EDT reply actions