Veneziano Doesn’t Have the Key to City, But…

By Dan Hirshberg

Anthony Veneziano doesn’t have the key to the “city” of Washington Borough; not yet at least … but he does have the key to The Field House by Gibsons, the Downtown sports training facility where he works out three days a week while getting ready for spring training with the Kansas City Royals in February. 

Veneziano, a lanky 6-foot-5 lefthanded pitcher who starred in baseball and basketball at Warren Hills Regional High School (graduated in 2016), got a taste of Major League action last September after a successful run in the minors. Veneziano could have used this off season to train almost anywhere, but he chose to stay closer to home for a fourth straight year and Gibsons has been as gracious as it can be to accommodate the 26-year old’s training needs. 

He works out three days a week at the Field House by Gibsons with Elliott White, and one day a week at Gibsons Fitness Center.  

“Mike (Politano, GM at Gibsons) and Gibsons have been super helpful,”‘ said Veneziano. “Mike introduced me to Elliott. I am very thankful (to Gibsons) for helping me with my program and the dedication they’ve shown to me and the resources they’ve given to me.”

And the key to the Field House, “so I can get in there when I need to!” Veneziano said. 

“It’s a remarkable feeling to see one of our own reach the pinnacle of professional baseball with the Kansas City Royals,” said Politano. “It couldn’t happen to a better person, and his hard work and commitment to excellence make him the perfect role model for the young athletes who train at both Gibsons Fitness Center and The Field House by Gibsons. We’re immensely proud to have been a part of his story, and we will continue to stand behind him as he achieves even greater milestones in his career.”

At the Field House by Gibsons, Veneziano, who grew up in Mansfield Township, notes that among many aspects of training, he works on “explosive movements, speed, and agility,” and at Gibsons, he concentrates on belt squats and free weights. 

In his senior year at Warren Hills, he had a miniscule ERA of 0.74. Veneziano also chalked up over 1000 points on the basketball court and led the Blue Streaks to a North 2, Group 3 sectional hoop title. After a stint at Coastal Carolina University he was drafted by the Royals in the 2019 baseball draft. 

Veneziano reports to his first big league training camp on Feb. 14, five months removed from his major league debut. After compiling a 10-5, 3.55 ERA (127 strike outs in 132 innings) in the minors, he was called up in September, the first time a Blue Streak had made it to the majors. 

“It was surreal, everything you dream of,” said Veneziano, a starting pitcher in the minors. “They really take care of you (in the majors).”

He took the mound for the first in the Big Show on Sept. 26 against the Detroit Tigers. “Playing the game felt the same as always,” he said. “I was not overwhelmed.”

The first batter Veneziano faced was Javier Baez who quickly found himself two strikes behind. The lefty threw three straight balls but after a couple of foul balls, got Baez to fly out to left field. He would give up a hit and a walk in the inning but got out of it unscathed. Two days later against the Tigers once more, he went an inning and a third, again without giving up a run.

Veneziano, who describes his style as a pitcher with a “funky delivery”, with a fastball in the mid 90s, hard tight slider (“my best pitch”), and change up, goes to Surprise, AZ with an opportunity to be a starter in the Royals rotation. 

“It’s a big step for me,” said Veneziano. “It’s a chance for me to show my talents.”

Asked who are three hitters he’d love to challenge at the plate, he doesn’t hesitate: Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and Jose Altuve.

That’s something for down the road, of course. In the meantime, he’s enjoying home cooked meals at home and being surrounded by supportive family and friends – and good-natured strangers.

“It’s been incredible,” said Veneziano, who at one time worked at Oakwood Lanes. “A lot of people supporting me. The town’s just been incredible.”

And who knows? Perhaps someday he will get that key to the “city.”