John Marzano was found dead this afternoon in his home on Passyunk Avenue, reports 6ABC. The South Philadelphia native Central High School and Temple University ballplayer was 45. According to 6ABC's Bob Monek, a relative of Marzano called police to break down a door where Marzano apparently had fallen. It is unclear at this time whether the former 1984 Olympic team member died from the fall or had suffered a heart attack first, the report says. Marzano played for the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners, and in the minors with the Phillies and Cleveland Indians. Marzano worked for two years on Comcast SportsNet as an analyst on "Phillies Post Game Live" and was formerly a host on Sportsradio 610 WIP. More recently, Marzano worked for MLB.com, hosting a show along with Vinny Micucci.
Here's an update by way of a statement from Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia President Stephanie Smith:
"Comcast SportsNet suffered a great loss today with the sudden passing of John Marzano. John was a beloved member of our CSN family and he will be dearly missed.
JOHNNY- RIP my brother. You were Philadelphia!!!! You said it like it was . We will miss you MARZ.
that's unbelievable. Last thing I expected to read today.
This is shocking!!! I just watched him on DNL on Thursday afternoon and enjoyed watching him pump up the Flyers crowd before the game. I always liked his analysis of baseball as well. I can't believe this.
I am shocked. Johnny Marz was without question one of the best baseball analysts on television, despite having been doing it for a relatively short time. He will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to his family. R.I.P. John Marzano.
The last thing I wanted to hear after a Flyers loss. My wife and I have our thoughts and prayers to the Marzano family. It will not be the same watching Phillies Postgame Live without him in the booth with Barkann. He became one of the best analysts really fast and was fun to watch. He will be truly missed.
Sincerly,
Keith & Dawn Lombardo
johnny marz was pure philly he waill be greatly missed
johnny marz always told it as it is never a homer i liked the way he pulled no punches about phillies
ray
One has to wonder why a seemingly perfectly healthy man who was an Olympic athlete and major leaguer dropped dead at the very young age of 45.
This sucks sooooo bad. I will really miss Johnny Marz, he seemed like a real cool and fun guy. RIP, John.
I was always happy to hear his voice.
NO FRIGGIN WAY!!! I wish the best for his family. Johnny Marz was the guy everybody said "Man, I like that guy!" His star as a broadcaster was rising fast too! What a dreadful shame. You could always count on him to tell it straight and he had a great sense of humor and a great sense of himself. Best of all he represented Philly very well. He was a true blue collar sort of guy. We wish you well on your journey Johnny - catch you around on the next spin.
Peace Johnny - and do us a favor 'eh? ... Watch over our Phils this season would ya' Pal?
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John will be missed. My deepest sympathy to his family.
John was a friend to everyone along with his long time friend "SPANKY"...it is sad to see how so many good people pass when so unexpected...my prayers to his family and friends...He will be missed !!! Joe Pinto
So sorry to hear this. Prayers to his family.
This is so shocking and so sad. Life is truly precious. RIP John.
Marzy, shocked is the word in
the Boston area as well. us guys in the clubhouse have the deepest sympathy for you're family. RIP johnny.
Johnny Marz you are the most intelligent baseball analyst I've ever had the privelege to watch/listen to. Radio,TV,postgame show, whenever and wherever you were on I loved listening to you. You know the game backwards and forwards and knew statistics like you knew your own name. I pride myself in knowing the game of baseball so well and I always wanted to know it as well as you. I only hope that one day I know even half as much as you do. You will definitly be remembered.
Kevin from NE Philly
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Marzano family. As fledgling as his broadcast career was, his honest analysis and warm and emotional delivery, I became so used to. God Bless Johnnie Marz!!
I was shocked and saddened to hear the news about Johnny Marz. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marzano family at this time. I too will miss him on Phillies Post Game Live. John, you were too young of a man to leave this world.R.I.p
God Bless you, Johnny Marz. You will be sorely missed!
I am in shock at this very sad news. I just saw Johnny Marz the other night on DNL getting the Flyers fans pumped for the game. He always made me laugh. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Johnny Marz was the man! True Philadelphian. This one hurts.
Definitely the pride of Philly. His enthusiasm will be sorely missed. R.I.P
What a loss - my thoughts and prayers go out to the Marzano family. Johnny was treasure and I always enjoyed his two cents about baseball and life.
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This cannot be. It is unreal. God bless Johnny Marz and his entire family. This is too much to bear! Johnny Marz was soooo loved. This cannot be.
Ill tell you who cares scum bag-Real people.
I never met Johnny Marz in person but I feel like Ive known him forever. It was trully shocking to find out tonight about his passing. I would like to pass my thoughts and prayers to his family. RIP Johnny, you're in a better place!
John Marzano was such a great analyst, and I was so upset when he left Phillies post game live. Most importanly, though, he seemed like a wonderful man who was always cheerful. Whenever I saw him on Comcast or on 610WIP, I always smiled and yelled out "Johnny Marz!" May God be with his soul and with his family.
This message board was designed to pay tribute to someone who died, who happened to be a class at. It turned into New Yorkers and trash talking about their teams.
New Yorkers- Learn to try to be respectful and not poor city trash. (I know it's hard when your parents were trash and never taught you respect, but this is a memorial, not a place for you to show that you are pieces of sh*t)
Now back to the point of this memorial before someone from
ny opened their mouth...
John Marzano is everything Philadelphia. He always kept it real, true to hhis roots, and always always told it like it is.
This is beyond trtagic. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to his family. Please know how beloved he was.
God Bless Jonny Marz and his family.
Rest In Peace Johnny Marz You will be missed May God be with his soul and with his family
John was always a decent guy all the way back to CHS. Would always say Hi to everyone.
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Prayers to the Marzano family. John was truly a quality baseball analyst and I'm sure, a good person. All announcers/analysts should be honest and tell it like it is because any true fan will see through the "always positive homer attitude." I respected John for saying the Phils sucked when they sucked and see the joy in his face when the Phillies were good. You will be missed, John.
I was SHOCKED when I heard the news. I attended Temple U. at the same time as John Marzano. I remember what a standout player he was in college and when he made the Olympic Team. I then enjoyed him as part of the WIP
on-air staff and his analysis of the Phillies Games on Comcast Sportsnet. He will definitely be missed! My prayers go out to his family as they deal with his loss.
I was SHOCKED when I heard the news. I attended Temple U. at the same time as John Marzano. I remember what a standout player he was in college and when he made the Olympic Team. I then enjoyed him as part of the WIP
on-air staff and his analysis of the Phillies Games on Comcast Sportsnet. He will definitely be missed! My prayers go out to his family as they deal with his loss.
Wow, my husband and I are crushed, we feel as though we knew him, that was his way! He touched us and so many Philly fans, we will miss him. I loved his South Philly accent, and his tell it like is attitude. Johnny Marz.......this is devastating!! Our prayers to his family, friends, and to us, the fans. We will miss your guest spots on 610 and your electrifying personality on DNL!!! God bless your wife, girls and grandchildren!! John use your positivity and pull in heaven to get us over 90 wins!!! Love you and miss you Johnny Marz!!!!
I'm just at a loss. Johnny Marz was friggin' awesome! I loved his upbeat attitude and his loyalty to the wonderful city of Philadelphia. He never got too "big" for the city. He was a perfect representative of everything Philadelphia. He was great on 'IP. My thoughts and prayers to his family. R.I.P. You will be missed. :o(
John was a fine role model for young Italian Americans in this City.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marzano Family.
You will be missed My Friend.
Charles Colsher
Ok, this is sad. I cannot believe it. I knew him from 610WIP. Great guy. He was a great analyst as well. Way too young to die. I never met the guy, but I feel terrible. I'm not even a religious person, but hey John, my thoughts are with you and you deserve to be in a better place. Thanks for entertaining me with your work on WIP. You seemed like an awesome person. Makes no sense to me and really nothing else to say except thanks and R.I.P. You will be missed. I am really sad.
wow,what a shock. i remmeber seeing john and his dad early mornings at columbus square , his father would always be throwing batting practice to him. i knew him when he played little league ball at columbus and coached against him, he was a great competitor then and will be even so in heaven. he never forgot his roots and will be sorely missed.
RIP, my condolences to his family :-(
My husband was once part of the 'IP family and we are both 'jersey natives. We send our love from Virginia.
John played for Columbus Sq, and I played against him for Capitolo. If you could get an out against John, it was a moral victory. If you held he team to under 5 runs, but lost, you celebrated! I knew of him from little league, but met him a few years ago through my nephew who worked for his academy. I brought him a cellphone that he ordered because he didn't get done until after my store closed. He pulled me up a chair handed me a Molson, and talked to me like I've known him for years, showing me tapes of himself in a fight with Paul O'neil, then some David Chapell. That was the Marzman. The local celebrity that acted like the regular guy that would do anything for you. He showed off the ringtones on his cellphone (his favorite was summerwind) and made sure you knew where he got it, from his friend. He'd stop me on the street while I walked my dog, and offer me a drink at his favorite bar. Everyone is a friend to John, and nobody should forget what it means to be an Italian from South Philly, where your door should always be open and food is always on the table, no matter how famous you get. The John Marzano way. RIP my friend, I will think of you every time I watch a game, Phillies, Flyers, Eagles........
Geeeezzz Louise....
Saddened by this man's death, 45 years young, Hay I myself am only 41, which is why I say... Live Like There Is No Tomorrow... Because Ya Never Know.
I have seen him on Comcast SN and I like local guys who make good, I do not follow sports that much, but I liked what I saw.
Vaya Con Dios Marz....
Arseoles abd Earoles... We All Got Em...
Laters.
AC...
WISH TO CORRECT MY SPELLING ON MY LAST POST.
Hay should be HEY
ABD Should be Arseole's And Earole's
Sorry I type fast:)
words dont begin to express my shock and sadness over the passing of johnny mars they say only the good die young well they got a great one today ill miss him on wip and comcast. he truly was a philly guy may he rip my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends
John- you were a great guy and a great friend. We worked together at your academy for two years and you taught me a lot and improved my game. You were a great man, always listened and always cared. Talked more than any one i have ever known. Could have a conversation with a complete stranger and walk away friends. You were a great man, great friend, great coach. You were a hell of a guy, and the philadelphia are will miss you a lot. No one told it like johnny marz "the Marz man" my prayers go out to your family, as i am deeply saddened to lose a great man and great friend. Thanks for the memories john! Lets go philadelphia sports! R.I.P john, You were to young to leave us so early. we all will miss you!
Horrible news. He was probably the fittest guy on DNL. They must be in total shock over there.
God Bless Johnny Marz and his family, he will be truly missed. All of Philly and South Jersey suffers his loss!
God Bless Johnny Marz and his family, he will be truly missed. All of Philly and South Jersey suffers his loss!
JOHN-You are the starting catcher in heaven. Go the distance Marz. I will think about you often.
such a shock. always enjoyed his direct to the point commentary. always felt he would have been a great asset to the phillies as a coach or scout. you will be missed
such a shock. always enjoyed his direct to the point commentary. always felt he would have been a great asset to the phillies as a coach or scout. you will be missed
John had the rare gift of being able to make everyone, even if watching on TV a million miles away, feel like he was a big brother right in the living room with you. He was an extremely talented man- so genuine, so honest, so forthright, and not caught up in his own fame. I am both shocked and saddened by the loss. He should have had many more years on earth because he would have brought tremendous joy to so many. Thank you John for a life well done.
John was like a second father to me. He went way above and beyond the protocol and over the last 7 years became my mentor and inspiration. These last two days have been the hardest of my life and nothing seems important anymore. I didn't believe it when I heard the news and I called and texted him looking for something, anything that suggested otherwise. I just want to say that John was the greatest man I've ever met and John, you have impacted me more than you can imagine and I owe everything to you. My family and I love you more than words can say and may you rest in peace. You will never be forgotten
There goes one of the last great personalities we had in Philly. So many former and current athletes are socially inept. We lose the great ones like Tugger and Marz. My prayers go out to his loved ones.
To have lost a man who has given so much to the world of baseball, sports enthusiasts, and all of us who had children who have learned baseball from John, is just unimaginable. We are stunned and numb at the news of his passing. John taught young ball players the real game of baseball, and instilled the life lessons of respect, integrity and hard work in all his students at the Marzano Baseball Academy. He forever transformed hundreds of kid's lives, making them all better players and better persons as well. He demanded that they be on time, work hard, stay in school,and take learning seriously and show respect to all adults. He made a difference like no other person I know in making the world a better place for so many. We knew him personally and always looked forward to his sunny smile, his funny stories, and hearing about his love of playing Xbox 360. He was a fierce competitor with his major league buddies online, especially A Rod. His death has left my family in shock, and no one will ever be able to replace him for what he has given back to his family,community and the city of Philadelphia. We honor him today and always as a person who always cared more about others than himself. He was supposed to be here always, watching our kids grow up as they became amazing ball players, as he looked at them all like a proud father. Now he will see it from heaven, but we will forever wish he was here on earth instead. May you rest in peace John, we love you.
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When I heard the news last night...I was shocked. He was Philadelphia, he knew how are hearts and minds were aligned, and he knew baseball as a religion. I can't get it out of my head that he won't be back on DNL next week like he "threatened." Johnny Marz you will be missed. It is a sad day.
I went to Annunciation BVM in South Philly and when I was in 7th grade in 1984, just as John was starting out, he came to our class and told us to try hard in everything we set out to do. Will never forget it or him. RIP, John.
This is for Get Out of MY WAY! Johnny was one of the greatest guys in the world and for you to mock him like this only shows how much of scumbag you are. I only hope that everyone is laughing at your funeral, and if you have a problem with that im sure the rest of south philly will back me up. You are truly a disgrace to all of humanity.
R.I.P Johnny Marz we miss you already.
UNO- Ignore that amoeba. Those who knew John also know that he would just keep moving when he came on scum like that guy. John was ALWAYS positive. We honor his memory by celebrating his humor and tolerance. We loved him.
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I am stunned by the sad news. John's personality was a great match for media work. He was a natural. His knowledge and the way he spoke made it easy for the audience to relate. He will be deeply missed.
Marz was the MAN. This is a real shock and I wish his friends and family the best, Philly is mourning with you all. He will be missed, but he will always be remembered fondly. RIP.
This is atual "News" and doesn't belong here. It is demeaning to put this in here with articles about reality tv cooking recipes, ***CELEB*** ramblings, etc.
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When Marzy returned to the area, I spoke of the decline in talent, and encouraged him to open his academy, and it was brought to fruition. Men like Johnny are few and far in between, a dieing breed. And in life we all take for granted what death unveils–we must pay more attention to life, our loved ones, and the people that we truly care about to make a difference in our lives. Johnny loved life, and it was magnified through his enthusiasm. His love for the city, the people, but especially with the youth was absolute. And his persona, so rare, is one of which all of us will probably never witness again. My families deepest condolences go out to Marzy's entire family, especially Terry, the kids and grandchildren. Johnny's strength, vitality and sincere enthusiasm must be extended through your lives now. His death is the fertilizer that will cultivate what made up his in life, and of which will spark your new beginning--work is never done when living. I'll miss you Marzy, your freind Billy Rosetti
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