By David Weinberg
All young athletes have a similar dream.
They grow up yearning to reach the pinnacle of their respective sport, to stand on the pitcher’s mound in a major league ballpark, to swish a jumper in an NBA arena, to cross the goal line in an NFL stadium.
A few local standouts have done it. Most recently, Millville’s Mike Trout has won three American League MVP awards while playing for the Los Angeles Angels. Cedar Creek High School graduate Bo Melton caught a touchdown pass for the Green Bay Packers in an NFL playoff game. St. Augustine Prep product Pops Mensu-Bonsu spent parts of four seasons in the NBA.
Last week, it was Chase Petty’s turn.
Petty, a Mainland Regional grad and Somers Point resident, made his MLB debut as a starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds on April 30.
Petty’s first start, which came against the St. Louis Cardinals, drew national and local attention.
Just four years ago, he was playing for Mainland Regional before the Minnesota Twins selected him in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft, then traded him to the Reds in exchange for veteran pitcher Sonny Gray.
When news of his promotion from Triple A Louisville spread through the region, friends and family members booked flight to Cincinnati to watch him take the mound at Great American Ballpark against the Cardinals. Charlie’s Bar in Somers Point celebrated by hosting a “Chase Petty Watch Party.”
Petty became just the third local pitcher to appear in a Major League game in the last 50 years, following starter Brett Kennedy (Atlantic City/Brigantine) and reliever Cody Stashak (Oakcrest/Mays Landing).
Kennedy, who ironically pitched for the Reds in 2023, made his debut at age 23 for the San Diego Padres August 8, 2018 against the Texas Rangers. A year later, on July 23, 2019, 25-year-old Stashak tossed two innings of scoreless relief in his first game for the Twins against the Yankees.
Petty’s youth and inexperience contributed to a rough outing his first game.
He allowed two home runs and was charged with nine runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings.
“It was a great feeling (to pitch in a major league game,” Petty said afterward. “Obviously, I wish the outcome was a little different. It’s kind of tough to enjoy it to the (fullest), but I’m happy to get it out of the way. Only up from here. I know I’m better than how I performed this time.”
Despite his performance, the Reds are still extremely optimistic about his future.
Petty, who was called up as a last-minute starter for a double-header, immediately returned to the Reds’ Triple A affiliate in Louisville, but don’t be surprised if he’s back in Cincinnati before the season ends.
“Aw, man, he felt so bad,” Reds manager Terry Francona said afterward. “Just couldn’t get his fastball where he wanted it and paid heavily for it. But his career is not going to be defined by this. I believe that.
“He had a hard time, but it will get better.”
A.C. grad gets tryout with Eagles
Just a few days after Petty pitched for the Reds, another former local standout was getting an opportunity in the NFL.
Atlantic City graduate Nahsir Morgan participated in the Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie minicamp on May 2-4 as a wide receiver.
“Extremely thankful and grateful for the opportunity the Eagles provided at minicamp,” Morgan wrote on X. “From growing up watching and being a fan of the team and organization to having the chance to try out and and make the 53-man roster. … Wow.”
Morgan, 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, played last season for NCAA Division III Delaware Valley College, catching 40 passes for 728 yards and 11 touchdowns.
That marked the last step in a long, seven-year journey that began after graduating from Atlantic City in 2018.
He started college as a football player at the University of Maine, but left after a few weeks after his 19-year-old brother, Hassan Lucky, was fatally shot in Maryland in October of 2018.
Morgan switched to basketball and spent the 2019-20 season at Division II Goldey-Beacon College in Delaware, but the school was forced to cancel the 20-21 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Former Absegami High School quarterback Mike Isgro, then a Delaware Valley assistant football coach, convinced him to trade in his basketball sneakers for football cleats again.
He played two seasons for Delaware Valley, sat out a year due to an eligibility issue, then returned last fall to finish his career.
“I’ve definitely been overlooked a lot,” Morgan told The Press of Atlantic City. “So many times, I could have said no, but I said yes.”
Much of his motivation stemmed from becoming a father.
Nahsir Jr. was born on May 14, 2023. Amar Haseem arrived three months ago.
“They gave me all the motivation in the world to keep going,” he said. “It gave me strength.”
Morgan wasn’t signed by the Eagles after the minicamp, but still could merit an invitation to training camp for them or some other team.
He has all the traits – size, speed (4.49 in the 40-yard dash) and athleticism – that make NFL scouts drool.
“Hopefully, I get a call back and after that I’m praying for another call back,” he said. “I’m taking it day by day, step by step.“
Boxing back in A.C. Saturday
Professional boxing returns to the boardwalk Saturday when promoter Alex Barbosa of R&B Promotions stages a card at Hard Rock Atlantic City.
Nine bouts are scheduled, including a six-round bout featuring unbeaten super-welterweight Oluwafemi Oyeleye (16-0, 10 KOs) of Philadelphia.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and at the Hard Rock box office.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.
Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
