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Red Sox History: A look at Boston’s notable backup catchers

By Rick McNair

July 04, 2010; Boston, MA, USA; A general view as a large American flag hangs over the green monster before the start of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
July 04, 2010; Boston, MA, USA; A general view as a large American flag hangs over the green monster before the start of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas Rangers shortstop Domingo Cedeno (R) leaps over Seattle Mariners John Marzano after completing a double play in the 5th inning of game action against the Seattle Mariners 12 July in Seattle. The Rangers beat the Mariners 9-2. AFP PHOTO Dan LEVINE (Photo by DAN LEVINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read DAN LEVINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Texas Rangers shortstop Domingo Cedeno (R) leaps over Seattle Mariners John Marzano after completing a double play in the 5th inning of game action against the Seattle Mariners 12 July in Seattle. The Rangers beat the Mariners 9-2. AFP PHOTO Dan LEVINE (Photo by DAN LEVINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read DAN LEVINE/AFP via Getty Images) /

Hard rock Johnny Marz comes to the Red Sox

Positional battles happened, and in the early 1980s, it was Rich Gedman and Gary Allenson vying for the number one slot. Gedman eventually won out, which meant the backup position was up for grabs. I will pass on Rick Cerone, Marc Sullivan, and go to a player I enjoyed watching – right-hand hitting John Marzano.

I live a short distance from Wareham, Massachusetts, and the Gatemen of the Cape Cod League. That is where I first saw Marzano. Catcher Clint Courtney had the nickname “Scrap Iron,” which would apply to Marzano. Catchers are supposed to be tough, and that was Johnny Marz.

Marzano was a first-round draft pick (1984) out of Temple University. The Philadelphia native eventually surfaced in Boston in 1987 and stayed as the backup to Gedman and Tony Pena for six seasons. Marz hit .232, but his best hit was when he played with Seattle and slugged the Yankees mouthy Paul O’Neill in a game.

1998 was Marzano’s last MLB season, and he moved on to sports network gigs in the Philadelphia area before a sudden death at age-45. I remember Marz as a solid defensive player with a light bat.

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