Johnny Antonelli, a World Series hero and All-Star pitcher, died Friday morning in his hometown of Rochester.

The 89-year-old passed because of chemotherapy complications.

Antonelli was a left-hand pitcher that played in the major leagues for 13 years before retiring.

Chris Ciaccio, Johnny Antonelli’s son-in-law, said, “He had a motion and a pop that he put on the ball that was not like other mortals. I mean, it came out so fast and he was just an athlete on another level.”

Antonelli graduated from Jefferson High School in Rochester, and went directly to the major leagues.

“It was the headline every day in the Democrat and Chronicle, the Times-Union, what he had done that previous day on the field. So that was the headline, and it was the news for Rochester,” said Ciaccio.

Antonelli was a six-time All-Star pitcher who led the New York Giants to the World Series title in 1954.

“He didn't seem like some flashy legendary baseball player, I mean when you knew him, he wasn't like that at all,” said granddaughter Margaret Ciaccio.

In his later years, many in Rochester knew him as the owner of Antonelli Firestone Tire Company.

Aside from being a business owner and baseball player, his family said he was a great storyteller.

“A lot of stories that he had about baseball, he didn’t tell and they sort of came trickling out over the years,” said Ciaccio.

Many tales went unknown, until Scott Pitoniak wrote a memoir about the baseball legend in 2012.

“I collaborated with him on a book and stuff but the greatest reward that I got from Johnny Antonelli was his friendship, and his friendship was special because, you know, he was an incredibly giving, kind person,” said Pitoniak.

Family and friends said Antonelli was a prime example of humility and class.