Before They Drew X's and O's, Baseball 2012

Before They Hit Infield-Outfield . . .

As you can imagine, many of the head coaches and assistants currently associated with city
leagues' baseball teams are former players. Since I'm ancient (smile), I wrote stories about
some of them during their high school careers.
We hope you enjoy this feature.
Would you like to see a story about someone who played in the Public, Catholic or Inter-Ac
leagues and is now a coach (assuming I did one on him)? Send me a note at silaryt@phillynews.com.
Thanks,
Ted

This story concerns La Salle assistant Harry Carr Jr., who played for
Roman and was the city's Pitcher of the Year in 1992. Harry's twin
brother, Mike, was also a star on the Cahillites' championship squad
that year (first team All-City outfielder) and . . . Well, just plow onward.

FOUR OF A KIND
TWIN ROMAN BASEBALL STARS ARE DATING IDENTICAL TWIN SISTERS

May 13, 1992

by Ted Silary, Daily News Sports Writer

Harry and Mike Carr now know what it's like to see double as well as be double.

The Carrs, seniors and star identical twins on Roman Catholic's surging baseball team, date Gina and Nina Carroll, juniors at Roman 's sister school, John Hallahan.

You guessed it. They're also identical twins .

"We're going to Roman 's senior prom this Friday night," said Harry, who dates Gina. "We're thinking of getting one big picture instead of two. Save money that way. "

Harry befriended Gina about a year ago. Mike and Nina have been an item for four-plus months.

"When Harry would be on the phone with Gina, I'd hop on and talk to Nina," Mike said. "It went from there. It's pretty interesting. Their grandpop comes to our games. "

Added Harry: "They can't tell us apart on the phone. The other night, Gina thought she was asking me questions. I heard Mike saying, 'What are you talking about? ' We can tell them apart on the phone, though. And they look different. Gina has curly hair. Nina's is longer. "

Harry John Carr, who wears No. 39 and bats and throws lefthanded (though he eats and writes righthanded), is a pitcher-outfielder for the Cahillites, who are 11-0 after yesterday's 6-0 win over visiting Monsignor Bonner. Michael Joseph Carr, who wears No. 33 and bats and throws righthanded, starts in leftfield and is ready for relief duty after nursing a sore arm back to health. They bat fourth and fifth, respectively.

Harry, who is four minutes older, is named after his father, Harry, a football and baseball assistant at Roman . Mike is named after his mother, Michele, and maternal grandfather, Mickey.

Although the boys sleep in separate rooms in their East Falls home, they spend much of their time in what amounts to a third-floor baseball shrine.

"They have thousands of baseball cards and all kinds of magazines," said their father. "They're always playing computer baseball games. Any stat about a major or minor leaguer, they know it off the top of their head.

"They've always been close. As they get older, it seems that they're even getting closer, which is neat to see. They have their days (of being upset at each other), but nobody can mess with one (without the other coming to his defense). "

Throughout the twins ' careers, Harry has experienced more success. He was a coaches' first team All-Catholic selection last year as a pitcher and outfielder - as well as a first team Daily News All-City outfielder - while Mike made neither first nor second team.

Harry, who is drawing some interest from scouts, is batting .667 (22-for- 33) in league play with a homer and 11 runs batted in. He has yet to strike out and has scored 17 runs. As a pitcher, he's 5-0 with a 1.40 earned run

average; he has allowed 28 hits and eight walks in 35 innings and struck out 37.

Mike is batting .526 (20-for-38) with five doubles and 11 RBI.

"Harry was always a lot better," Mike said. "He always got the publicity. That made me work harder. "

Said Harry: "As each year went on, Mike would improve more and more. Right now he's just as good as I am, really. "

Next year, the boys likely will play their baseball at a junior college, Gloucester County (N.J.) or St. Petersburg (Fla.).

"Living with Mike here is bad enough," Harry kidded. "But we will probably room together in college. "

Roman , which has clinched a playoff spot, is seeking only its second regular-season division championship. The Cahillites finished first in 1978 under coach Bob Koch, then swept the Catholic League and city titles.

This year's lineup includes two other returning first team All-Catholics aside from Harry Carr in first baseman Joe Tremoglie and third baseman Mike Moore. The other regulars are junior shortstop Bill Black, shared-time second basemen Chris Nottis and Frank Innaurato, junior catcher Andrew "Dew" Micali, pitcher-outfielder Dan Lauer, pitcher Chris Nowaczyk and outfielder George Bennett.

Although the players hail from all over - East Falls, Manayunk, Fairmount, Port Richmond, South Philly and the near Northeast - their togetherness never ceases to amaze sixth-year coach Joe O'Brien.

"At our all-sports banquet (two nights ago), the organizers wanted to give some awards to the baseball players," O'Brien said. "Because the All- Catholics haven't been picked yet, someone said, 'How about a most dedicated player? ' My vote was 'everybody. ' They gave a plaque to the entire team.

"We've had this much talent before. But these kids are tight, and that makes a big difference. They're always hanging out at each other's house. "

Said Harry: "We've been looking forward to this since our sophomore year, when we got hammered a lot (and finished 2-12 for last place). We stuck together and worked hard and it's paying off so far. "

According to Mike, he and Harry can be differentiated by looking at their hair.

"Mine goes up a little higher," Mike said.

OK, let's say they're wearing caps.

"Got to look at our numbers then," Mike said. "Or the H. Carr on his shirt and the M. Carr on mine. "

At practice, such aids are not available.

"If they don't have their gloves on, I sure can't tell them apart," O'Brien said. "I'll be saying, 'Now look, Harry . . . ' And he'll go, 'It's Mike, coach. ' I'm just glad I have both of them. "

So are Gina and Nina Carroll.