‘Pope’ proves there is always hope: Donn Pall, who pitched six seasons for the White Sox, has high school number retired

By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer

Donn Pall admits things were low-key when he played baseball at Evergreen Park High School.

Expectations were not high. Having fun was more important.

“There were no big games and we didn’t have a special team,” Pall said. “It was just fun to play with a bunch of my friends growing up and playing on a high school team together.

“We were never a great team. We were a mediocre team. We didn’t have anyone on the team who was all-conference. That tells you what kind of a team we had — just a bunch of local guys just trying to have a good time and playing ball.”

Pall graduated in 1980, and no one at the time thought he would not only excel in college ball but that he would also play 10 years in the Major League, including parts of six seasons with the White Sox and one with the Cubs.

Pall, nicknamed “The Pope,” was honored Monday by having his number 20 retired at the Mustangs’ baseball field before Evergreen Park took on Shepard in a South Suburban Conference Red game.

He may be one of the few players to have his number retired who forgot what number he wore.

“I had to look up my number,” he said. “I didn’t even know what number I had. I looked at old pictures and I was like ‘Oh! No. 20.’ ’’

Former Evergreen Park player Donn Pall went on to have a surprising major league career and had his number retired on Monday at the school. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pall made 328 major league appearances, had a lifetime 3.63 ERA and capped his career winning a World Series in 1997 with the Florida Marlins.

He didn’t have a Hall-of-Fame career, but it was an outstanding display of perseverance, considering he was not recruited out of high school and was rejected by Illinois as a walk-on candidate as a freshman.

He gave baseball one more shot and, that time, Illinois found a roster spot for him. He had a breakout season in 1985, going 13-1 with a 1.98 ERA, and scouts took a look at him.

He was drafted by the White Sox in the 23^rd round — the 579^th pick overall — and played professionally for 14 seasons.

“I’ll speak to kids and tell my story,” he said. “Nobody ever looked at me and said, ‘That guy is going to be a major leaguer. That guy is a phenomenal player.’ I was an All-Star a lot of times, but no one said, ‘That guy is going places.’

“Nobody recruited me for college. I tried out as a walk-on and got cut. I tell people that you just never know. If someone tells you that you are not good enough and if you want it, work hard and go for it. Keep at it because you just never know.”

Pall, 60, lives in Bloomingdale, works as a financial planner and is an ambassador for the White Sox.

It was the second time a former Mustang had a number retired his month. Jim Adduci had his retired May 5. Evergreen Park High School officials had hoped for a dual ceremony, but the scheduling didn’t work out.

Shepard baseball coach Frank DiFoggio won his 400th career game earlier this month. Photo courtesy of Shepard High School

Other honors

This baseball season has seen some milestones for area coaches.

Shepard coach Frank DiFoggio earlier this month racked up career victory No. 400.

“To my guys who have played for me and/or coached with me, I would like to thank every single one of you,” DiFoggio wrote on Twitter. “I appreciate the efforts you have given me throughout the years…everything about the Shepard baseball program is because of you.”

Sandburg coach Jim Morsovillo joined the 200-win club on May 2. Morsovillo took over the program in 2012, replacing Doug Sutor, who won 574 games, according to IHSA records.

Jim Morsovillo poses with his son, Matt, after Jim’s 200th career victory. Photo courtesy of Sandburg High School