Dave Connolly... 

 "I had a nice conversation with Bill the other night and afterward got hit with this idea…  

He told a great memory of a game when he was pitching and had a “possible” no hitter going when the batter of the opposing team tagged a “sweet” one of his pitches down the third baseline potentially smashing his dream. THEN, Melega leaped into the air, far beyond what one would consider his normal capabilities (but he could jump!) to catch the ball, make the out and save Bill’s dream game.  

I thought … what a great story … I don’t know if it really happened that way, BUT we’re talking sweet memories here, about guys we knew and know … And, as far as I’m concerned “Never let the facts get in the way of a great story!”  

The problem then is how to best recreate in the Blog that fabulous season, that most of our classmates don’t even know about since it ended AFTER WE GRADUATED …  

I looked at the yearbook and was disappointed to see how little was there on the Baseball Team. .. Hell, the picture only showed 11 guys and didn’t include Kretzer, Gavin and others I knew we on the Team… - What’s the Story on That?  

I’m thinking maybe some interviews with Frank Brezenk, Bill K and others on the season as a whole or particular games or plays to flesh out what and how that great season evolved …    

Jack Gavin 

 "The '58 baseball team was undefeated. The team won the Greater Newark Tournament which at the time was THE de facto State Championship for baseball.

Szegis and Kretzer were responsible for almost all the pitching victories. I believe Bill K threw a no-hitter that season but if Melega made that great catch in that game he did it playing shortstop not third. Sadlack may have had one win. Melega, Wiegand, Conroy were big contributors along with juniors Tyne, Martorelli, Dorgan and Bodino. There were a ton of guys on the team. Ellis, Burke, Connors and more. The school has the roster.

Several years ago the team was inducted into the Prep Hall of Fame. Lots of us were there but not all. It was great evening. Melega and Szeigis are in the HoF as individuals also. I think Kretzer belongs in there for basketball and baseball combined.

Also, I believe (not sure) that one of the teams we beat was from the Trenton area. Al Downing was the pitcher and we won a 1-0 or 2-1 type of game. Downing pitched for a bunch of years in the Bigs. He gave up Hank Aaron's 715th homer. " 

 Bill Kretzer...

"As a high school spectator sport, baseball has always been far behind basketball & football. Hence, combined with graduation, making college plans & figuring out what girl to date, that team’s accomplishments went almost unnoticed by our classmates.

I played a lot of baseball from Little League through college. Never were there a better group of athletes on a baseball field. Jackie Szeigas was a great pitcher. Al Weigand was a fabulous catcher who helped me immeasurably. Martorelli & Melega were two of the very best two sport athletes of that time. Many accumulated post season individual honors.

If I remember correctly, Szeigas, Martorelli, Melega, and myself all made 1st team All-State Catholic as selected by the two Newark newspapers. Numerous others made All City & All County. The whole team was something special."

 Al Wiegand...

"Just got your message while on vacation in Queenstown, NZ. It was great hearing about that unbelievable Prep baseball team. While the undefeated record still stands, it was a Team effort that we all took away as a very important aspect of our lives.

I do remember that great come back game against Bayonne especially their catcher Sal Spezio who later became the Mayor of Bayonne. I was on Sal's case all day. I also remember beating a very good Newark team in the State Championship who had a good lefty. The lefty turned out to be Phil Fildelgo one of Villanova's top ever pitchers. VU coach Art Mahan was in the stands that day scouting the game which bought the both of to play 3 years together.

Every one of us respected the individual contributions each made to achieve an undefeated legend. Catching Jackie and Bill, two great Prep pitchers, and playing for Coach Cochrane helped me significantly at Villanova University in being inducted into the VU Hall of Fame.

We have lived in Las Vegas for the past 35 years, so if any of my former baseball mates ever pass thru Vegas, please have them give me a shout. Thank you for your message and the wonderful past memories of a great Prep Baseball Team and it's players.

Off to hit that white little golf ball. God bless."