Nick Testa is one of those interesting players in the game who had about half a sip of coffee at the Major League level, but stuck around the game for some time. On April 23rd of 1958, he caught one inning for the Giants and did not get an at bat. That is his career in the Majors.
He did hang around baseball, coaching, helping out in the minors, and even playing in Japan.
Nick let me know that his favorite players were Joe DiMaggio and Don Mattingly. He thinks the best athlete and player was Dave Winfield. Best all around was Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle.
As for managers and coaches, Nick is fond of Joe Torre and Jeff Torborg.
I was excited to hear what Nick thought, because he has been around baseball for so long.
I PLAYED BALL FOR NICK AT LEHMAN COLLEGE. IS HE STILL WORKING FOR THE YANKEES?
ReplyDeleteHey Frank, I really appreciate you stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeleteI just checked the Yankees web site, and he is not listed with their front office, but I would imagine he is still involved with them in some form.
I am not sure, but I bet he can still be contacted c/o their front office....
I just found out that Nick passed away on November 16, 2018. I will always remember him because he was such a role model for me.
DeleteHey Frank..... thanks for letting us know. Hate to hear that.....
DeleteNick is a friend of mine. He works in the clubhouse now
ReplyDeleteI was stationed at Ft Belvoir with Nick. In 1953 we won the All Army Championship at Ft Sam Houston, Texas. I've been trying to contact Nick, by sending a note to Joe Girardi at Yankee Stadium, just in case Joe could contact him. [to no avail]
ReplyDeleteHey Anonymous, thanks for stopping by my blog! Email me if you want, I would love to know more about this 1953 team!
ReplyDeletejimerado@hotmail.com
Anonymous, if you haven't gotten in contact with Nick yet, I have a friend who has contact with Nick still, e-mail me at jim.bowden@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteHe coached Lehman Baseball while I was there 1974 to 1978. What a great leader and athlete !
ReplyDeleteHew was funny but firm . No BS from the Nick
Does anyone know if he is on facebook ? I found one with no picture and it stated athlete . Do you think that is the one ?
Ed Bertolas
Ed, did you play on the Lehman team with me in those years? --Stephen Hanks
DeleteDid you ever contact Nick.. I was on the Ft Belvoir baseball team with him Have some great stories.
DeleteEd Storey I remember. [Belvoir 53-54 ] Never did contact Nick.
DeleteInteresting... We share the same relatively uncommon name.. Nick Testa has a pretty cool story and as a baseball card and sports memorabilia collector I would have loved to get his autograph - just because of the name, lol... I'm sure I can find something on ebay, a card or auto.
ReplyDelete