Camden People - Rocco Gimello

ROCCO GIMELLO was born January 8, 1889. He lived in Camden NJ for many, many years.

South Jersey baseball fans often recall some of the strong Camden City League baseball teams of the 30s and 40s. Rocco “Rox” Gimello molded some of the area’s best into a dynasty which lasted for more than a decade.

The Collegians dominated the city league from 1934 through 1937 winning four consecutive championships in a league that boasted many former and future minor and major league players. Al Bass, Grover “Worm” Wearshing, Bill Narleski, Walt Nowak, Paul Bearint, Hank Frett, Dick Errickson, Jim McQueston, Williard Bisbing, Billy Denof, Tom McLaughlin, Norm Selby, Eddie Novak, Mike and Nick Curcio were names familiar to any baseball fan in the tri-state area.

The Second World War left many teams short of talent but the Collegians, who were sharing their players with the Eastern Pennsylvania League, began taking on some of the strongest of the Negro National League teams in exhibition matches, beating the Homestead Grays with Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige. Highlight of one match was Hank Frett striking out Josh Gibson 3 times. The Baltimore Elite Giants, St. Louis Stars, Newark Eagles and Georgia Crackers were among some of the clubs passing through the Delaware Valley who also felt the sting of defeat ay the hands of Gimello’s Collegians.

Rox was instrumental in having lights installed at the Broadway and Everett Field in South Camden and opened the new era of night baseball in June 1946. Many of Gimello’s players went on to play for several years on other Delaware Valley teams. He would be most proud of the dozen or more players who preceded him into the South Jersey Baseball Hall of Fame.

Rocco Gimello retired from managing after the 1947 season, turning the reins over to team captain, John Salvatore. At that time he was living with wife Catherine at 270 Mount Vernon Street, and working as a mechanic. He moved to 5026 Garden Avenue in Pennsauken NJ in the 1960s before passing away in September of 1976 survived by his wife Catherine, who died in May of 1990.

Rocco "Rox" Gimello was inducted into the South Jersey Baseball Hall of Fame on November 29, 2003.