Johnny Antonelli

One of the first “bonus babies,” the tall, dark-eyed Antonelli signed with the Boston Braves for $65,000 in 1948 and pitched only in spots, mostly in relief, before leaving for military service in 1951-52. His 1954 trade to the Giants for Polo Grounds hero Bobby Thomson temporarily infuriated New Yorkers, but Antonelli silenced the critics with a 21-7 mark for Durocher’s world champions. He led the NL in winning percentage (.750), ERA (2.30), and shutouts (6), and had a win and a save in the WS. He won 20 again in 1956 and 19 for the San Francisco transplants of 1959, leading the NL in shutouts again in both seasons. His 26 career shutouts constitute 21% of his ML wins.