John D'Acquisto
John Francis D’Acquisto was born on December 24, 1951, in San Diego,
“Mr. D’Acquisto, Mr. D’Acquisto, you just broke the radar gun, the last pitch was 100 miles an hour and the gun just broke!”
Pitching for the Chicago White Sox’ AAA Denver Bears affiliate in 1983; 31-year-old John D’Acquisto had other things on his mind as he as he crossed the foul line on his way back to the dugout. While he managed an outward “thanks, kid,” to the excited Bears batboy, inwardly the voices in his head were telling him something quite different, thanks to the throbbing pain in his right elbow.
John Francis D’Acquisto was born on December 24, 1951, in San Diego, the second child of Fred and Frances D’Acquisto. John was preceded by older brother Fred Jr.; sister Jeannette came along later to round out the family.
Fred D’Acquisto Sr. was a local celebrity in the San Diego area; for 51 years he worked for the legendary Anthony’s Fish Grotto Restaurant right in the heart of the downtown area. Starting out as a teenager, Mr. D’Acquisto worked himself up to dining room manager and would split his time between the original restaurant and their sister location, the Star of the Seas.
From his status as the #17 pick overall in the 1970 June draft in the shadow of his induction notice to his post-game minor league antics with Goose Gossage, Gorman Thomas and Charlie “Country Chuck” Manuel, former Rookie Pitcher of the Year John D’Acquisto explores the free love and “free agency” of 1972 California; the tragedy at Spring Training ‘74; John’s role as a pawn in the struggle for clubhouse power between manager Charlie Fox and Bobby Bonds; deep inside the untold story of the Bob Gibson/D’Acquisto pitching duels; the endless nightlife and shady characters of 1976 San Francisco; the despair of ex-major leaguers deserted in the 1977 AAA baseball purgatory of sunny Honolulu; the backroom dealings between players and management ahead of the 1981 players’ strike, and the fateful meeting between John and his former owner that may have derailed his career. Heinie.” Randy. Buzzie. “Sweet Matt.” “Davvy.” Marvin. “Mac.” Juan. Jimmie Reese. Gibby & Torre. “Moff.” Keith. “Onti.” “Ras.” Pete. “Simba” & Geno, among many others along for the ride. Featuring a foreword by popular 70's baseball historian Dan Epstein and flavored by music of the era. If you love the narrative structure of cable dramas like Mad Men and House of Cards, then you will adore this rich, period love story between a man and his profession.
The biggest highlight, perhaps, which doesn’t show in any box score, occurred on June 23 in Los Angeles. D’Acquisto struggled that day, giving up five hits and three runs in six innings, picking up a no-decision, but along the way managed to throw a fastball that registered 102.4 mph on the “official” Dodger Stadium radar gun.
"Every Christmas, my father used to buy me at least one baseball book. With little exception, it was the gift that I most looked forward to unwrapping each holiday season. Perhaps that’s why I became such a fan of the game, and eventually a baseball writer and author.
If my father had been alive for Christmas in 2016, I think I would have wanted him to give me the gift of Fastball John. Luckily, I already have one, courtesy of a review copy sent to me by the book’s co-author, David Jordan. He and former major league pitcher John D’Acquisto have collaborated on one of the best baseball books of the year, a book that may be as influential as anything written by a former major leaguer not named Jim Bouton or Jim Brosnan.
At his peak, D’Acquisto threw a fastball clocked at over 100 miles per hour. (It’s believed that among pitchers in the 1970s, only Nolan Ryan threw harder.) He had only moderate success at the major league level but did last for 10 seasons with the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos, California Angels and Oakland A’s." (Bruce Markusen Director of the Educational Department National Baseball Hall of Fame)
