St. John's University Athletics
Like Father, Like Son
4/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 26, 2005
Twenty Questions With P.J. Antoniato
By Daniel F. Ford
As wool mittens and winter hats are being replaced with webbed leather gloves and backwards caps, baseball is in full swing in Major League stadiums and backyards across the country.
At its core, baseball is a game best reserved for fathers and sons. It is a game that not only enhances their bond, but in many ways, defines it.
It is this father-son-baseball relationship that has brought senior PJ Antoniato to where he is today - the starting shortstop for the St. John's Red Storm.
"Since day one, I play every game for my dad (Pat)," Antoniato said.
"One of my goals is to make my father happy."
Antoniato has certainly accomplished that and more so far this season, guiding the Red Storm to a 26-12 record (11-3 in the Big East Conference), with a .349 batting average and 14 RBI.
"I'm just concentrating on playing hard and being a good kid," Antoniato said. "I'm glad I've been able to contribute to winning the games we have."
Antoniato, now a resident of Levittown, New York, is originally a Queens native who grew up in a household that was constantly consumed with competitive sports.
"My sister, Michele, played softball and I was always on the baseball field," Antoniato said. "We were lucky to have parents that gave us 100 percent of their support and pride."
Antoniato became a scrappy, hard-nosed player at Division Avenue High School, dividing time between shortstop and the pitching mound. He earned All-State honors his final two years in high school, and although there was no major league interest in Antoniato, several big name colleges had their sights set on the young shortstop, including Lamar, St. John's, Manhattan, Stony Brook, and Dowling.
A combination of wanting to improve academically and a desire to stay close to home, Antoniato finally settled on Briarcliffe Community College in Long Island.
"It was a late decision to go to Briarcliffe," Antoniato said. "The coaches told me I would get to play right away and get a chance to improve my grades, so off I went."
Under the tutelage of infield coach Jimmy Goelz and Head Coach Jim Freeman, Antoniato further developed his lighting quick hands and stellar defensive work on the left side of the diamond that have become his trademark. He also made noise with his potent bat, setting the school record for hits - 98 in 70 games - in his sophomore year.
"I was just trying to play well and make a name for myself," said Antoniato. "At the same time, I was also trying to get respect from the other players, especially the local ones."
Antoniato didn't have to work that hard to earn the respect of his teammates, who named him the team captain in only his second year.
"I wasn't brought up to be that vocal, so I lead more by example," Antoniato said. "I just did what the coaches asked of me, didn't do anything stupid, and when you do that, you just hope the other players follow your lead."
After being named to the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Team in 2002 and 2003 and improving his grades in the classroom, Antoniato now had his chance to go to a Division I baseball program and make an even bigger name for himself. Once again, Antoniato made the decision with his father close to mind.
"I wanted to go to a big Division I school, but at the same time, I wanted to stay close to my father," Antoniato said. "St. John's made sense because it allowed me to stay close to home and make it easier on my father."
Besides facing better competition in the Big East, a more rigorous conditioning program, and fitting in with his new teammates, Antoniato also had to adjust to playing a new position. Mike Rozema - now playing in the Atlanta Braves organization - had anchored the shortstop position for three years, forcing Antoniato to move over to second base.
The move worked out well for both players, who became one of the best double-play combinations in the Big East.
"Mike is a great player and made it easy on me playing second base for the first time," Antoniato said. "It was a great feeling knowing if I threw a ball to second, he'd be there and vice versa."
Along with making one spectacular play after another at second, Antoniato proved he wasn't the average Division I newcomer with his consistency at the plate. He set the single season record for most at-bats in a season (236) and finished with an overall batting average of .322. Antoniato also contributed 13 doubles, six homeruns, and 39 RBI.
"I was really relaxed and was just having fun," Antoniato said. "I was right where I wanted to be and it was just a matter of going out there everyday and playing the way I'm capable of playing."
Despite batting .351, with four doubles, two home runs, and 18 RBI in Big East play. Antoniato did not make any of the three All- Big East teams or receive a single postseason award.
"It didn't bother me, in fact, I kind of liked it," Antoniato said. "I don't like being in the limelight and what matters most is how far our team went last season."
Last year's Red Storm advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1997, finished second in the Big East with a 17-9 record, and its 37 wins were the most for a St. John's team since the 1980 team advanced all the way to the College World Series.
"Our team chemistry is what stays with me," Antoniato said. "We had a lot of guys who just knew what it took to win baseball games and that took us a long way."
After playing 60 games last season with the Red Storm, Antoniato made his way to Manchester, Connecticut to play in the NECBL for the Silkworms. He batted .306, with 52 hits, seven doubles, and 13 RBI to lead Manchester to its first ever postseason birth.
Antoniato was also named the Most Valuable Player of the NECBL All-Star Game, recording three hits and four RBI.
"I loved playing every night and I was lucky enough to play for a really good team," Antoniato said. "My host parents were great and it was one of the best summers of my life."
This spring, Antoniato has picked up right where he left off, already recording 44 hits, nine doubles, and 36 runs scored. His consistent start also has the Red Storm sitting atop the Big East.
"We have a lot of guys left over from last year, guys who remember what it took to win," Antoniato said.
Whether or not the Red Storm continue their winning ways, Antoniato will continue to play hard-nosed New York baseball knowing his father is always watching from the bleachers, trying to be as close to his son on the field as possible.
"My father has been everything to my career," Antoniato said. "I just want him to be proud of me."
Dan Ford is a junior journalism major at St. John's. He is the head manager for the St. John's baseball team and a frequent contributor to RedStormSports.com.
