SPORTS

Mario Andretti (1940) Setting records with more than 100 wins, and earning titles of "Greatest American Driver Ever" and "Driver of the Century," Andretti raced on paved ovals, road courses, and dirt tracks throughout his professional career. Influenced by Italian race car legend Alberto Ascari, at 19, Andretti started driving in dirt track and stock car races. In 1964, he joined the United States Auto Club, and a year later he finished third in the Indianapolis 500 and earned Rookie of the Year honors. In 1967, he won the Daytona 500 and two years later, he came in first at the Indy 500. His list of numerous racing accomplishments includes awards as the only person to be named Driver of the Year in three decades (1967, 1978 and 1984); the only driver to win the Daytona 500, Indy 500, and Formula One, and the only driver to win races in five decades, among many others. In 1981, he was elected to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

Yogi Berra (1925) Recognized as one of the most popular baseball players in major-league history, Berra is as famous for his quotes, known as "yogi-isms," as he is for his sports career. His early interest in baseball led to playing in the minor league and signing with the New York Yankees. He joined the Navy during World War II, and after returning home, resumed playing with the Yankees in major league as a catcher and "bad-ball hitter." He played with the Yankees for 19 years—in 14 World Series—and was named to the All-Star team 15 times. He earned three Most Valuable Player Awards and ten World Championships (on a winning team), and holds numerous World Series records.

Berra managed the Yankees in 1964 and 1984-85, and in 1972 he became manager of the New York Mets. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 and is a member of Major League Baseball's All-Century Team, and he was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. During his baseball career, Berra became known for his quotes of wisdom laced with humor. It’s said that he has more quotes in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations than any other sports figure. Among his most famous are "It ain't over 'til it's over," "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded," It's deja vu all over again," and "When you come to a fork in the road ... take it."

Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999) Credited with leading the New York Yankees to nine World Championships, DiMaggio—known as "The Yankee Clipper" for his gracefulness on the field—gained fame for his baseball skills and his demeanor both on the field and off. His career started when he played in the Pacific Coast League and caught the eye of Yankees’ scouts. He started with the Yankees in 1936 and set American League rookie records for runs and triples, making the All-Star Team and playing in the World Series. In 1941, he captured America’s attention with a 56-game hitting streak. He played with the Yankees—and in four more World Series—until 1942 when he joined the army during World War II. He rejoined the Yankees in 1946, and went on to play in four more World Series.

Vince Lombardi (1913-1970) Throughout a football career that started in his teens, Lombardi played fullback and guard, was a freshman and varsity coach, assistant coach of the New York Giants, and head coach of the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins. He excelled in each position, bringing numerous victories to each team.

Rocky Marciano (1923-1969) The only Heavyweight World Champion to retire undefeated, Marciano gained the title in 1955 when he knocked out Archie Moore, and still holds the title—with 43 knock-outs in 49 fights—more than 50 years after his final fight. Although his short stature appeared to have the odds against him, his iron chin, right punch, and determination made him a winner. He started to box in the army during World War II, and after his discharge in 1946, he began training. His first professional fight was in 1947, which he won with a third-round knockout. By 1949, he won 16 fights, knocking out 9 contenders in the first round. He knocked out returning champ Joe Lewis in 1951, and in 1952, Marciano won the World Heavyweight Championship Belt, defending the title six times (with five knockouts), until 1955 when he retired from boxing.

Bruno Sammartino (1936) As the only wrestler with two Championship reigns—one of them the longest in history—in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (now WWE), Sammartino is considered the "Living Legend" and "The Italian Superman" of heavyweight wrestling. He began weightlifting in his teens, at one point training for the Olympics; and within a few years he was setting records, including power lifting in 1959. Catching the attention of a local wrestling promoter, within a few months, Sammartino began his career with the WWWF. After a short but successful wrestling career in Canada, in 1963, Sammartino returned to WWWF to defeat the reigning heavyweight champion. He held the title until 1971. Two years later, he regained the title as Heavyweight Champion and held it until 1977. Since then he has been involved in many aspects of wrestling, recently making appearances at Ring of Honor events. In 1989, Sammartino was elected to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame; in 2000, into The Ring Chronicle Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame; and in 2002, into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.

The Ring Chronicle Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame

Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame

Sammartino on Sammartino

Interview, "The Living Legend" (2005)

Interview, Official Prodigy Chat (1997)

UPDATED!  Giorgio Santelli (1897-1985) Son of maestro fencer Italo Santelli, Giorgio immigrated to the United States and became, what many consider, the best fencing coach of the twentieth century. Giorgio was born in Budapest, Hungary, to Italian parents. His father had moved to Hungary, by request, to teach fencing.

Giorgio immigrated to America in the mid-1920s, and initially taught fencing at the New York Athletic Club, then opened Salle Santelli, a premier fencing club, and, in 1934, the United States Fencing Equipment Company (later changed to George Santelli, Inc.), one of the most well known fencing supply companies of the time. From the late 1920s to the early 1950s he was the U.S. National Coach and U.S. Olympic Coach, training and teaching fencing to produce many world champions. 

In 1928, Giorgio directed the fencing scenes for the Broadway production of Peter Pan. He coached and choreographed other fencing scenes on Broadway—including Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet—until the early 1960s. Giorgio was inducted into the USFA Hall of Fame in 1963, and continued to train and provide lessons throughout his life.

NEW!  Remembering Maestro Giorgio

Lessons with the Master