RON DIORIO, A Waterbury native, was a very good overall athlete and a so-so pitcher until his college coach, Porky Vieira, asked him to start throwing sidearm like Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell.  Ultimately, Ron would pitch to a 3.03 ERA in 23 games for the 1973 Phillies and roster with Luzinski, Schmidt, Lonborg, Boone and Carlton.  The tall right hander worked like the devil to improve and toiled for 9 years in the minors, Mexico and Puerto Rico, too.  SABR Member John Cizik of Thomaston has written a detailed and satisfying biography of Ron Diorio for the Bio Project.  You can find it at this link:

http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/f5725682

I hope you can join us at Quinnipiac tomorrow, Feb. 27, when Ron Diorio and former big leaguer Ken MacKenzie will participate in a player panel.

Best,

Karl

kcicitto@cox.net