John Santagata

Induction Year:

2016

graduation year:

1923

AWARDED FOR:

football, baseball

ABOUT

During the 1920s, he earned his football letter, considering it one of the few sports available at Girard High School during that era. However, his true prowess emerged in the realm of baseball, a sport he embraced with remarkable talent and dedication. Thriving in the local sandlot leagues, he showcased his skills with distinction. His journey continued on the field, as he joined the ranks of highly competitive teams such as the Lansingville Slovaks, Girard State Billiards, and Youngstown Sheet & Tube teams. Pursuing higher education at Ohio Northern University, he remained committed to baseball while also pursuing his engineering degree. After completing his studies, he returned to the local sandlots, where he not only showcased his own abilities but also took on the role of coaching. He notably guided the skilled and dignified Royal Gardens team of the 1930s, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Recognizing his outstanding contributions, the Baseball Old-Timers Association-Baseball Town USA bestowed him with a great honor in 1976. He was inducted into their Hall of Fame, a distinction shared by only a few. As a dedicated resident of Girard throughout his life, he further contributed to the community as an engineer for both the Ohio State Highway Engineers and the Mahoning Valley Sanitation District, enhancing the area's infrastructure and quality of life.

accomplishments

  • Earned his football letter in the 1920s.
  • Excelled in baseball, both locally and with competitive teams like the Lansingville Slovaks, Girard State Billiards, and Youngstown Sheet & Tube teams.
  • Continued his dedication to baseball while pursuing an engineering degree at Ohio Northern University.
  • Coached and played for the Royal Gardens team in the 1930s.
  • Inducted into the Baseball Old-Timers Association-Baseball Town USA Hall of Fame in 1976.
  • Contributed to the community as an engineer for the Ohio State Highway Engineers and the Mahoning Valley Sanitation District, enhancing local infrastructure.

Return to Hall of fame
girard hall of fame

1244 Shannon Rd.
Girard, OH 44420

info@girardhof.com