Johnny Turco

John Baptist Turco (January 28, 1930 – March 24, 1960) was an American athlete who played football and baseball at the College of the Holy Cross. He was a member of the Holy Cross Crusaders baseball team that won the 1952 College World Series.

High School Turco was a standout athlete at Walpole High School. The Boston Globe named him to their all-scholastic third team in football baseball his junior year and he was an honorable mention in baseball his sophomore and senior seasons.

Football On October 7, 1950, he scored five touchdowns in a 41–21 victory over Brown. His three receiving touchdowns against Brown was a school record until 1993. He led the team in all-purpose yards (1305), kick return yards (329), punt return yards (174), and receptions (23) and set a school record for most touchdowns (17), receiving touchdowns (9), and points scored in a season (106).

In 1951, Turco again led the team in all-purpose yards (993) and 10 touchdowns. Turco scored the North's only touchdown in a 35 to 7 loss.

Turco was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 22nd round of the 1952 NFL draft, but opted to pursue a career in baseball.

Baseball In 1952, Turco helped lead the Crusaders baseball team to its first College World Series championship. He led the team in batting average (.385), hits (37), runs (29), walks (23), and stolen bases (9) and was a named to the second 1952 College Baseball All-America Team.

On August 30, 1952, Turco signed with the Milwaukee Braves. He split the 1953 and 1954 seasons with the Jacksonville Braves and Evansville Braves and played for the Atlanta Crackers in 1955. In 326 minor league games he batted .297 with 13 home runs and 126 RBI. An arm injury from his football days hindered his abilities as an outfielder.

Later life After his baseball career ended, Turco returned to Walpole, Massachusetts, where he worked in the insurance business.