A graduate of Central Catholic High School and the University of Akron, John was drafted by the Houston Astros in the eighth round of the 1987 Major League Baseball draft. He played outfielder/catcher in his decade-long career where he had a lifetime .271 batting average and 288 stolen bases. He stole over 30 bases five times, peaking at 54 in a season. John began his minor league managing career in 2000, coaching for 18 seasons.
In 2010, John was inducted into the Akron Baseball Hall of Fame. He currently runs Massarelli Baseball School, a baseball and softball instructional facility that teaches students from Little League Baseball through high school. The school has helped over 500 students go on to play college baseball or softball.