Sport: Baseball
Born: May 25, 1950
Town: Keansburg, New Jersey
John Joseph Montefusco Jr. was born on May 25, 1950, in Long Branch and grew up in Keansburg, NJ. John played shortstop at Middletown High School, and did not begin pitching until his senior year. That season, he was undefeated in six decisions and tossed a no-hitter. Scouts were unimpressed; he was not offered a pro contract or a college scholarship. He chose to attend Brookdale Community College in nearby Lincroft. He went 18–2 over two seasons and set several records playing for the baseball team, including 19 strikeouts in a game. Still, there was no interest from the pros.
John played semipro ball locally for a business owner named Frank Porter. Porter called a friend who worked for the San Francisco Giants and sold them on the idea of scouting John. They saw enough to offer the confident young man a contract in November 1972—after which John predicted he would be in the big leagues within two years. True to his word, he got the call after going a combined 24–14 in 1973 and 1974. One of John’s minor-league teammates was Ed Halicki. They had competed against each other many times in their younger days and became lifelong friends.
John was summoned to the Giants on September 3 for a game against the Dodgers in LA. He arrived just before the first pitch and was sent to the bullpen by manager Wes Westrum. John watched as starter Ron Bryant failed to get an out in the first inning. Then the call came—Westrum wanted him to get in the game and mop up. John proceeded to throw a “complete” nine-inning victory, allowing just one run as the Giants came back to win, 9–5. In the third inning, John smacked a two-run homer against Charlie Hough. After the game, Al Michaels, the Giants’ broadcaster, dubbed him “The Count of Montefusco.”
John was rewarded for his effort with five September starts, and a spot in the rotation in 1975. He got off to a fast start, beating fellow New Jerseyan Andy Messersmith and the Dodgers 1–0 in April. After the game, John began trash talking in the locker room. The comments were reported in the newspapers, making him a lifelong target for the Dodgers’ players and fans.
John finished his first full campaign with a flourish that gave him a 15–9 record, an ERA under 3.00 and more than 200 strikeouts. He edged Gary Carter for Rookie of the Year and finished fourth in the Cy Young voting.