Bridge over Kiski River renamed after North Vandergrift baseball legend

A bridge spanning the Kiski River and connecting Vandergrift to Parks Township finally bears the name of a local hometown sports hero.

After nearly 10 years of petitioning, the Vandergrift Bridge is now the Rudy Minarcin Memorial Bridge.

“I had no idea my dad had such an impact on people,” said Laurie Bowman of Vandergrift.

The late Rudolph “Rudy” Minarcin was a professional baseball pitcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox after he returned from a stint in the Army in the 1950s during the Korean War.

The renaming was made possible by a bill signed by former Gov. Tom Wolf in 2022 and had been a long time coming. After Minarcin’s death in 2013, the community began efforts to name the bridge in his honor.

Bowman and her sister, Michelle Solomon of Oak Ridge, Tenn., were brought to tears by the outpouring of support during the renaming ceremony Tuesday afternoon.

“My father was just a dad to us children, but to others he was an inspiration,” Bowman said. “I’m overwhelmed at the outpouring of kind comments, posts and by all of the people that attended the renaming.”

State Sen. Jim Brewster joined local community members, elected officials and family members in North Vandergrift for the dedication.

“Rudy traveled the world and never forgot where he came from. He returned (to North Vandergrift) to apply the skills he learned for the benefit of young people from his hometown,” Brewster said. “With this dedication, his name will be carried through for generations to come.”

Minarcin was born in North Vandergrift in 1930.

He graduated from Vandergrift High School, where he led the baseball team to the 1948 WPIAL championship.

He signed with the Vandergrift Pioneers but pressed pause on his professional baseball career to serve in the Army.

His baseball career highlights include pitching a one-hit complete game against the Pirates at Forbes Field while also driving in two runs.

He also pitched for the Havana Sugar Kings of the International League before the team relocated to New Jersey after Fidel Castro’s rise to power in Cuba.

A knee injury ended his baseball career, which included a 4.66 ERA over 70 appearances.

Vandergrift Councilwoman Marilee Kessler, who attended the dedication ceremony, described Minarcin as “the best athlete to ever come out of this area.”

“Renaming the Vandergrift Bridge has been a long time coming. It makes my heart happy to see recognition being given to a good man who was not only a legitimate sports hero, but also a community hero who never wanted any fanfare,” Kessler said.

Life after baseball included returning to North Vandergrift, where he operated his family’s grocery store, Martin’s Market; raising a family; and coaching various Little League baseball teams.

He retired in 1995 and died in 2013 at the age of 83 after a brief illness.

Many in attendance Tuesday spoke of Minarcin’s generosity when he owned the market.

“He was a legend for his kindness and generosity,” Kessler said. “My neighbor told me about how many families in Vandergrift during tough financial times would get the things needed from Rudy, who was willing to give things to people who needed it. She remembered him, as a teenager and a young mom, and had so much to say about what a great guy he was for the neighborhood.”

Solomon said she is grateful for the show of support for her late father.

“Our family was humbled by the outpouring of love and support,” she said. “We heard so many heartwarming stories of how my dad touched so many people’s lives after leaving his baseball career.”