Young Phillies draft pick relies on his Catholic faith

Published: 2005-07-27

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- After Michael A. Costanzo Jr. was born, his parents dressed him in a signature-red Philadelphia Phillies jacket for his trip home from Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital in Darby. As a toddler, he used to hit the Christmas ornaments off the family tree with a toy bat. As a teenage third baseman, he helped Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor capture more than one Catholic League baseball championship. This past June, the Phillies selected Costanzo, 21, as their first-year player draft pick. "I just always dreamt of being a Phillie," Costanzo said in a telephone interview with The Catholic Standard & Times, newspaper of the Philadelphia Archdiocese. "I've been watching them since I can remember. I'm a die-hard Phillies fan." No other career has ever crossed his mind: "Never. This is what I've wanted since day one." He said he plans to take to the field confidence, a winning attitude, a stalwart work ethic, and dedication to the game and to the city of Philadelphia. And his Catholic faith.

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