Rico Petrocelli

Americo Peter "Rico" Petrocelli (June 27, 1943-) Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, former MLB standout Rico Petrocelli was a member of the first graduating class from nearby Sheepshead Bay High School. Shortly thereafter, the much-hyped shortstop was signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox. Petrocelli would go on to play his entire 13-year MLB career with the Red Sox, where he batted .251 with 210 home runs and 773 runs batted in.

Though Petrocelli’s best season on record occurred in 1969 (.297 BA, 40 home runs and 97 RBI), it was in 1967 when he proved to be a vital member of Boston’s "Impossible Dream" team. That year, the Red Sox battled their way back from a last-place finish in the American League in 1966 all the way to the A.L. title with a 92-70 record. In fact, they clinched the pennant on the season’s final day and it was Petrocelli who caught the final out at shortstop to ensure Boston’s 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins. For the season, he recorded 127 hits including 17 home runs, 24 doubles and knocked in 66 runs.

He was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997. Today he serves as co-host of the Great American Collectibles Show, which is presented each week by the NSCC and PSA, and the popular Sirius MLB Network Radio show "Remember When" with Ed Randall.