Johnny Guzman

Career Overview

Johnny Guzman competed in the NBBA from 1981 through 1990. He passed away on December 23, 1991, leaving behind a legacy as one of the early standouts of competitive beep baseball.

He played for the Dallas Bandits from 1981 through 1985, the North Bay Nemesis in 1986, and the East Bay Blaze from 1989 through 1990.

Alongside his brother Sal Guzman and half brother Joe Maranga, Johnny helped form the core of a strong Dallas Bandits team that competed from 1980 through 1986.

Early Success with the Dallas Bandits

Prior to 1982, teams were required to win a local or state qualifying tournament, or be selected as one of two at large teams, to advance to the eight team NBBA World Series field.

In 1981, the Dallas Bandits won the Texas State Regional to qualify for the World Series in Houston. They proved themselves immediately, advancing to the championship game and narrowly losing to the Albuquerque Tru Sight 32 to 31 to finish second.

Sal Guzman was named Tournament MVP, and Johnny Guzman and Joe Maranga were selected as Tournament All Stars. Dallas returned to the World Series again in 1984.

Available historical documentation from the Bandits’ local and state tournaments is limited, with much of what is known about the 1981 season preserved through Cora McKiernan’s collection.

World Series All Star Recognition

Johnny earned multiple World Series All Star selections during his career.

• 1981 Houston with Dallas
• 1986 Palo Alto with North Bay Nemesis
• 1988 Austin with East Bay Blaze, third place finish
• 1989 Topeka with East Bay Blaze

These selections across multiple teams demonstrate both his individual talent and adaptability.

Family and Legacy

Beep baseball was a family tradition for Johnny. NBBA Hall of Famer Lupe Perez, inducted in 2011, is his nephew.

Johnny was also named to the NBBA 30th Anniversary All Time Team covering 1976 through 2006, recognition that further cemented his Hall of Fame status.

His early passing left many to wonder what additional accomplishments he might have achieved had his career continued. Given the Bandits’ early success and his repeated All Star honors, it is clear that Johnny Guzman was one of the impactful players of the league’s formative years.

The Hall of Fame Committee expressed appreciation to Kyle Kennedy and Lupe Perez for their assistance with this special nomination.