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Rochester sports legend made his MLB debut on this date 76 years ago

Sal Maiorana, Sean Lahman and Bill Wolcott| Rochester Democrat and ChronicleYou won’t find it in any history book, but July 4, 1948, is significant date in Rochester history.It’s the day when Johnny Antonelli, the greatest modern baseball player in Rochester history, made his major league debut.Antonelli, a six-time All-Star who finished his 12-year career with a 126-110 record and a 3.34 ERA, remains one of a handful of big league players who never appeared in a minor league game.Antonelli wouldn’t have been there without his dadVeteran sports writer Sal Maiorana said Gus knew his son Johnny was special.The elder Antonelli rented out Red Wing Stadium, home of the triple-A Rochester Red Wings, and organized an exhibition game featuring Rochester-area semi-pros, and invited bird dogs from all the big-league clubs to attend so they could get a true indication of Johnny’s talent.Johnny worked his magic, tossing a 17-strikeout no-hitter.Boston Braves scout Jeff Jones was wowed, and he conv…