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Junior year wasn’t too memorable for Albert DiDomenico. It’s hard to get excited about watching from the bench, but the athlete’s dislocated right shoulder didn’t leave him much choice. He only played in one Catholic League game.
Back 100 percent this season, DiDomenico, with his surgically repaired shoulder, wasted no time proving he could still play with the League’s top talent. He hit .467 with 21 hits in 45 at bats, including five home runs, and contributed 14 RBIs and five stolen bases.
The 18-year-old from the 1700 block of Moymensing Avenue earned First Team All-Catholic honors as a pitcher and outfielder, but the biggest prize was being named the Catholic League South MVP.
"It was such an honor, especially after getting injured," DiDomenico said."I knew I would play again, but I was just afraid I wouldn’t be the same. It’s such a relief."
Neumann-Goretti baseball coach Gaeton Lucibello was equally excited. "I expected him to win All-Catholic, but he exceeded those expectations."
Luckily, DiDomenico is a southpaw. Had it been his left shoulder, DiDomenico might not be on the mound today.
"It made it a lot easier," he said."The doctor said if it was my pitching arm, I probably wouldn’t be the same anymore."
IRONICALLY, DIDOMENICO DIDN’T hurt himself pitching. It occurred while diving headfirst into first base. Even worse, it happened in the March 31, 2005, Catholic League opener against Roman Catholic, which his Saints lost, 10-5.
"Watching my teammates running and knowing that I couldn’t run with them was a bad feeling," he said."I never got injured like this in my life, so it was hard."
DiDomenico had surgery April 20, 2005, followed by several weeks of rehab at NovaCare Rehabilitation, 2129 Oregon Ave. He went three times a week, with each session lasting at least two hours.
"I was in a lot of pain, but it’s something I had to go through," he said."They helped me a lot and I am appreciative of everything they did for me."
The athlete played fall ball to prepare for the 2006 Catholic League season. Earlier this spring, DiDomenico said he was slightly cautious about sliding into first.
"I had to put it in my past," he said."The first time I did it, everything went fine. During the whole season, I was doing it all the time. I don’t think about it."
The only downside is his Saints failed to make the playoffs. They finished seventh in the Southern Division with a 3-11 record. In four seasons of Catholic League ball, DiDomenico never got a taste of the postseason.
"For me, winning the MVP award is a great individual honor," he said."In sports, winning is the most important thing and what people remember most. You only have four years of high school and I wanted to make the playoffs once. It would’ve been a better honor than MVP."
DiDomenico credits several people with helping him develop into the standout player he is today, starting with his supportive parents. He spent the off-season working out with former Major League catcher and South Philadelphia native John Marzano. Of course, the Neumann-Goretti coaching staff also played a huge role.
"They helped me so much," DiDomenico said of his coaches. "I wouldn’t be the player I am if it wasn’t for them."
His baseball career is far from finished. June 12, DiDomenico will suit up for the Catholic League in opening-round Carpenter Cup action. The event, which began in 1986 and is nationally recognized as one of the finest baseball tournaments for high school students, is a vehicle to promote the area’s top players. The Catholic League won the 2005 tournament.
"Playing with a bunch of All-Catholics is going to be fun," he said."Maybe we can win it again this year."
Next fall, DiDomenico will continue his baseball career at Gwynedd-Mercy College, where he hopes to pick up where he left off.
"I am really excited," he said."I have a good chance of playing a lot because they only have two outfielders coming back. I am going to work really hard and maybe start."
Lucibello said it will be"just about impossible" to replace DiDomenico.
"Any time you lose a player the caliber of an All-Catholic it’s a big deal. We only had three wins and he had two of them. He kept us in one-run games with his pitching and batting."
