One of my early baseball heroes is bout to receive a much deserved honor. This coming November, 2014, Ron Necciai will be inducted into the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame along with several others. I just received this published report on the event this morning from writer Ron Paglia, a Necciai biographer and friend. The article itelf is by Bruce Wald, a continuing contributor of materials to Trib Total Media.
Ron Necciai
In case you’ve forgotten or didn’t know. Ron Necciai was the young pitcher for Bristol (VA) Twins against the Welch (W VA) Miners back on May 13, 1952 that struck out 27 batters in a no-hitter win that put him on a baseball map that never lost track of his most rare achievement. Oh yes. He also stuck out 24 in his next game – and he ended up fanning 109 innings for Bristol in 43 innings of work that season withe the Class D club. He was promoted all the way to the Pirates by season’s end in 1952, departing Bristol with a 0.42 ERA for Class B Burlington (NC) on his way to the big club..
Ron Necciai previously was inducted into the Mon Valley (PA) Al SPorts Hall of Fame in 1996 and he will be the sixth Mon Valley HOF member to have been selected for the State Hall in te past eight years.
Ron Necciai turns 82, on June 18, 2014.
Our new writer colleague, Ron Paglia, left the following explanation of the store signing photo from yesterday”s event in Donora, PA:
Bill:
Attached is a photo of Ron Necciai signing a book for Mayor John “Chummy” Lignelli of Donora at yesterday’s program at the Donora Historical Society. Lignelli was raised next door toNecciai in Gallatin (also known in those days as Manown).
I was not able to attend the program but a friend said …The program drew a large crowd and Necciai and Ken Barbao spoke for about two hours, discussing their professional baseball careers and delighting the crowd with stories about the game.
Barbao, a Donora native who still lives there, and Necciai were roommates in the Minors in North Carolina. Ken also had another roommate during his time with the Pirates – a young kid named Bill Mazeroski. He talked about those experiences and also pitching in spring training against the likes of Roberto Clemente. Ken’s father is widely recognized in this area as a mentor to a young Stan Musial when he was growing up in Donora. – Ron Paglia.
Congratulations again, Ron Necciai! You deserve every square inch and round second of honor that your Monongahela Valley community and the proud state of Pennsylvania has bestowed upon you.
The Pecan Park Eagle 
June 9, 2014 at 12:00 am |
A deserving person who has a heart bigger than the achievement, matched by a loyalty streak that won’t stop. He has been in my HOF for my 64 years. Proud to call him Uncle!