For more than 50 years Ray Fantozzi kept the fires burning for a game which can award the elite with a professional diamond of green. Or leave others with just a memory of glass strewn neighborhood sandlots, worn sneakers, sweat-stained leather gloves and a broken dream.
But not Fantozzi.
Each spring as either a player or coach, Fantozzi knew which part he was going to play that year on America’s stage of baseball.
It wasn’t just a dream for him and he played it to the fullest.
Earlier this year, the sport which brought trophies, awards and walls of accolades to Fantozzi, repaid his life-long love with one of its ultimate treasures – induction into the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame, housed at Akron’s Canal Park, home of the minor league Rubber Ducks baseball team.
The Class of 2021 induction ceremony culminated September 17, with a first pitch to Andy Radcliffe, who is husband the Fantozz’s son-in-law and husband to the couple’s daughter, Rachel.
“Our grandsons, Brayden, and Luca, Radcliffe, escorted him onto the field,” Nancy recalled.
The Fantozzi’s also have one son, Nicholas, she added.
The couple have lived in Macedonia for more than 38 years. Fantozzi is also a zoning inspector for Sagamore Hills, Fantozzi, added.
A banquet was held at St. George’s Antiochian Hall in Copley on Sept 19 with invited celebrated, guests.
According to Fantozzi, he has coached almost every position, on both men’s and women’s roster, during his tenure.
Fantozzi was nominated for induction before the pandemic hit, and it was all but forgotten about until earlier this year when he received a letter and call confirming his induction.
“I knew I was nominated, but I didn’t know I had been picked,” according to Fantozzi. “I was kind of floored about the whole thing. “
Fantozzi said he has been blessed during his career, which has brought him from Brecksville High School, where according to the Hall of Fame “he earned Conference and MVP awards, to Arizona State, Tri-C West and the University of Cincinnati.”
The Hall also lists Fantozzi’s accomplishments as an outstanding pitcher and hitter in the Plain Dealer AAA league, Cuyahoga County AAA League, NEO Roy Hobbs League, and both the Cleveland and Canton MSBL Leagues.”
Also “In the Legends of Baseball Cooperstown, NY tournaments, Fantozzi has won the Bobby Uhl Pitching Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award Inspired by George Goodall, and the Cliff Archer Heart of the Team Award.”
The Legends is a tournament that allows players from all over to come and play.
A win/ loss record is not important. It’s for fun, he said.
And as exciting as the nomination as to Fantozzi, he said wife, Nancy, was more excited.
“I’ve known Ray since I was about 10 years old,” Nancy said.
Fantozzi took music lessons from Nancy’s dad.
Then Fantozzi began working at the Parma store for her dad
“We were friends for a very long time, then we started dating,” she added. And here we are, 42 years later…”
Fantozzi developed his love of baseball through playing with his dad, Ray, who turned down a minor league contract because he made more money working a non- sports job.
He never said “no,” Fantozzi said of his dad, who died in 2019. “He never deterred me or when I asked for a simple game of catch-he was always there.”
Nancy allied her husband “a very, very good coach and player. We go up to Cooperstown every year.”
Nancy journeys with her husband to Cooperstown, the location of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame each year to watch Fantozzi play in an annual tournament.
“Each year when he came back, he was like a legend,” Nancy said of the Cooperstown games. “Nobody wanted to face him because he was such a good pitcher. But, he is just an all around good player.”
Fantozzi, who plays several positions and still plays in organized leagues, was a bit more humble than his proud wife.
“He’s 65, and he’s still playing at a pretty impressive level,” she added.
And he tried, but the newly inducted member found it hard not to be proud.
“I’m humbled by the whole thing,” according to Fanzotti. “Anyone who would nominate me, let alone vote for me and put me in … there are some awesome people in the Akron Hall o
“I’ve known him since I was like 10 years old,” she said. “We were friends for a very long time, then started dating.”
My dad owned a music store in Parma
And here we are – 42 years later …
“He’s a very, very good coach and player
We go up to Cooperstown every year,” she said.
Fantozzi laughed at his penchant for not throwing equipment away.
“I’ve got cleats old than my kids,” he laughed. “And my wife laughs because I have more baseball shoes than dress shoes.”
But Fantozzi is honored to have been inducted into an elite club with members named Sewell, Piekarski and Munson. Names that celebrated the same game he loved.
“I’ve been blessed I’ve played with some top-notch athletes of my time,” he added. “All I can tell you is that in blesses I’m grateful that I’ve been doing it for so long.”
