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The stress of reaching expectations raised by others often withers the most promising players, and being the younger brother to one of the most successful Philadelphia Catholic Baseball players definitely sets those lofty anticipations. But William Penn Charter School’s Matt Gorman not only showed the potential reminiscent of his brother Joey Gorman, he is creating his own legacy.
Matt’s freshman campaign yielded multiple accolades highlighted by an All-Inter-Ac Second-Team selection and a spot on the Independents/Inter-Ac Carpenter Cup Classic roster. Personal accomplishments also manifested into team achievements as Gorman aided Penn Charter in winning the Inter-Ac league championship.
While the early success could change the resident of the 300 block of Ritner Street, he prefers to stay grounded and jokes that “I’ll still always be Joey’s little brother.” When selecting a high school, Gorman searched for a place where he can be himself and found that in Penn Charter.
“I visited a few schools during eighth grade, Chestnut Hill Academy, St. Joe’s Prep, [Ss.] Neumann-Goretti and also Penn Charter,” he said. “Once I visited Penn Charter, I liked it a lot. It was more of a comforting feeling, the academics are great, and I don’t mean to put any other school down with baseball, but going to Penn Charter I can start on my own to be me rather than being Joey Gorman’s brother at Neumann-Goretti.”
Although the 16-year-old thrives on making his own name at a different school, Gorman enjoys the connection he and his older brother have.
“I never want to get out of his (Joey’s) shadow, and I’ve always liked being Joey Gorman’s little brother,” he said.
As the younger Gorman continues to impress scouts and coaches, the frenzy surrounding him and his college decision can be overwhelming, but with Joey making a recovery from past health issues, the older figure imparts his knowledge of the situations Matt will soon encounter.
“He basically tells me every day when you go out and play baseball, you just go out and enjoy it,” Gorman said. “His story now is very powerful with the two brain surgeries [to repair a structural defect], and him being able to play. He told me when I play high school baseball to live each day and enjoy them all. Make sure you make the most of your experience in high school, and play every game like it is your last because you never know if it will be your last.”
The future appears bright for the Penn Charter student, though Gorman’s present is going just as well. He participated in last month’s prestigious Carpenter Cup along with some of the best talent the Northeast region has to offer. In a 14-1 triumph over Delaware South, Gorman pitched effectively, shutting out his opponent over two innings and adding two strikeouts against the upperclassman-heavy lineup. The Carpenter Cup was not just a showcase for his skills but a chance to be a part of something that he followed for years.
“Growing up, my dad, my brother and me would always go to the Carpenter Cup and watch all of the players there,” he said. “It was always an awesome experience to go to and watch as a kid. This year I was invited to play, and it was actually amazing. To play at [Richie] Ashburn Field and play in the same tournament as great players like [Neumann-Goretti alum and Kansas City Royals’ draft pick] Mark Donato and all the players, that made it professionally.”
Gorman did not enter the game alone, as a band of Quakers, including South Philly peers Demetrius Isaac and Kenny Bergmann, filled out the formidable roster. With the success of the local inhabitants now in the Inter-Ac, the tripod brings a renaissance in a league mainly seen for “suburban” players. Gorman sees the resources for his school in the area with the talent present in South Philly as he said “I hope Penn Charter starts to recruit down in South Philly because people down here are great people, and there are a lot of smart kids and very talented baseball players.”
The summer season for the right-handed pitcher continues with the tail end of the John Marzano Scout League on the horizon. The league, named after the late Major League Baseball catcher and U.S. Olympian John Marzano, stands as one of the few in the area that provides players with the opportunities similar to that of the Cape Cod League in Massachusetts or the abundance of summer leagues in Florida or California. Because of the seasonal distinction, the process operates differently than the normal high school teams.
“This is more of something your team joins,” Gorman said. “There are showcases that individual players get to go to and show yourself. Prep Baseball Report and Perfect Game are usually something you sign up for, but you join as a team in the Marzano League. It’s more of a fun thing. I mean it is still a scout league, but there is more of a laid-back attitude.”
For someone who admits he occasionally takes the game too seriously, the Marzano League’s calm identity has been an enriching experience for the maturing athlete playing on the 16U-Red Bandits with fellow South Philly resident and friend Brian Verratti from Neumann-Goretti.
“We haven’t exposed all of our talents yet,” Gorman said. “We are trying to play together as a team, and we have been successful with that recently. Where at the beginning we would play as individuals, but we have put it together. We played pretty well this weekend in a tournament, and it is getting really fun.”
Review Intern Joe Tressa contributed to this article.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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