The long ball and Johnny Mancini are forever coupled in Deering Oaks history.
Thirty years after retirement, old timers recall the southpaw slugger’s prodigious homers. Time may have added a few yards, but the late ‘Pete Pompeo would term the distance estimates conservative.
After one clout to Forest Avenue, Pallotta Oil Manager Pete Pompeo Paced 75 "steps ‘beyond the 350-foot sign. ‘‘The ball traveled 500 feet,” declared Pompeo. Ed Mardigan was the victim.
Mancini had only modest hitting success in the Telegram Schoolboy League from 1946 through 1949. Sports writer Frank Curran noted however, that ‘ ‘Telly averages don’t do Mancini justice he hits the ball hard most of the time but straight at opponents who had to catch the ball if only in self defense.’
Mancini may only have been a boy in chilly Springtime, but he was a man in the largely-adult Summer twilight League. He was a regular at 16, and at 17 captured the Twi Triple Crown — homers, runs batted in and batting crown.
his specialty seemed to be late, game-winning homers for over the right field fence. Most rewarding connection, perhaps, came against Maine Hall of Famer Ubby Craft with one on and Pallotta trailing by a run.
Hit a homer, and I’ll give you $25,” ” said Pompeo.
"And I'll double that,’’ added sponsor Joe Pallotta.
Mancini had his hand out as he crossed the plate. he recalls vividly.
The passage of time has dimmed such highlights as ‘441 and 400-plus Twi averages, a 5-0 Telly pitching record and membership on a Portland Press Herald team which defeated Bangor newspaper counterpart featuring future New York Mets pitcher Carl Willey.
Mancini ’s content with marriage to Theresa, children Jr., William and Bernadette and an interesting career as fireman, from 1960 to 1985. Johnny Mancini retired as Deputy Chief.
Portland High yearbook 1949
"Against Westbrook once more, Portland bounced back to a 6- 5 Win. Harold Anthony was the starting pitcher for the Tannermen, and although need- ing Rollie MacMillan to save the game with relief pitching, gained credit for the victory. The eighth game of the year for Portland was another tough luck, one run loss. This time the other team was Deering, and the score was 5 -4. Portland's fifth victory of the season was an 8-3 conquest of Thornton Academy, as Bob Tanner's forces were pitched and batted to the revenge win by powerful southpaw Johnny Mancini. Then meeting Sanford for the second time of the year, the Blue was downed 9-5. The team that Coach Bob Tanner has been fielding this year included, infield: Ed Connolly, Ronnie Leonard, Nunzi Mancini, Dick Hawesg out- field: Gus "Bones" Profenno, Dick "Boogie', Maller, Johnny Nlancinig pitchers: Dave Redmond, Harold Anthony, Rollie MacMillan, Johnny Mancini, catchers: Dick Jackson, Vern Durant, utility: "Sonny" St. Angelo and Chet Koceika. "
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