John Marzano was found dead in his home in South Philadelphia today, after an apparent fall. Exact cause of death has not been determined.

Marzano was currently working for XM radio as part of the MLB package. He still from time to time did work for Comcast Sports Net. A fixture of Daily News Live and Phillies Post Game Live the last few years, he had shown himself to be one of the top analysts in the game. While he never suited up for the Phillies in Major League action (he was in their minor league system), his roots in Philly were strong. A stand out graduate of Central High and later played for Temple University before he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox, for whom he played Catcher. He was on the 1984 Olympic team. He also played for the Mariners and Rangers.

Marzano was dedicated to youth sports, where he ran the Marzano Baseball Academy.

This hits close to home for me, not just because I live in South Philly and was on Passyunk this morning. But also because, heading to the game on Thursday with my Dad, we talked about Marzano, my Dad was wondering where he had been. I talked about his new gig at XM Radio. And we extolled his virtues. John Marzano, a Philly icon. Gone.

• Marzano career stats
  He was drafted in the first round, 14th overall by the Red Sox.
• Marzano victim of identity theft
  Some guy was posing as Marzano, sleeping with women who sent Johnny Marz letters!