No, not JP Howell whom I expect we all remember well. JP, as in Dodger catcher Joe Pignatano. For some unknown reason, his name popped into my head the other day. Perhaps it is because I am partial to catchers. Older Dodger fans such as myself will remember Joe. He is now one of the oldest living Brooklyn Dodgers at age 90.
Joe Pignatano was truly a Brooklyn Dodger. He was born in Brooklyn, attended Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, and debuted at the MLB level with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
He played in only 307 major league games over six years with a slash line of .234/.332/.351 yet his story is no less interesting than those of MLB all-star players. He was a player, reputed to be a valued teammate and later a valued coach, and seemed to be grateful for the career he had chosen. Things were not always easy for him and perhaps the “P” in Pignatano stands for perseverance. Coming along after Roy Campanella and then John Roseboro as well as Norm Sherry the preferred target for Sandy Koufax did not make his path very easy.
Nevertheless, his story is an interesting one. Here’s to you Joe.
Pignatano did not attend college and was signed out of high school. Knowing of his baseball aspirations, his high school coach sent a letter to the Dodgers asking for a tryout for the then 18-year-old catcher. The Dodgers reciprocated with an invite to a tryout at Ebbet’s Field. There were in the vicinity of 80 young players for the tryout, each day with fewer coming back. Pignatano and one other youngster made the cut and 10 days later he signed a contract with the Dodgers.
He was assigned to the Cairo Egyptians in the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League in 1948 playing three games with three hits in eight at bats. Perhaps the highlight was the standing ovation he received for catching a foul popup. It was strange to be applauded for catching a popup but other catcher had caught a foul popup for the Egyptians.
With little warning and without explanation Pignatano was released by the Dodgers a few days later and sent home to Brooklyn. Once he got home, his mother took over, as mother’s do. She was appalled that at the beginning of the journey home he actually was sleeping in the train station until a police officer found him a room for the night and paid for his room as he had no cash in his pocket. She picked up the phone, dialed the Dodgers, and got to speak with Fresco Thompson who was Brooklyn’s minor-league chief. Thompson initially congratulated Mrs. Pignatano on how well her son was doing not knowing he had somehow been released. Another tryout at Ebbet’s Field quickly ensued and he was again signed by the Dodgers.
Over the next seven years he played with seven Dodger affiliates in seven different leagues: Cambridge, Valdosta, Asheville, Elmira, Fort Worth, St. Paul, Montreal. His climb was interrupted by two years of military service (1951-52).
An interesting anecdote illustrates that whatever can happen will happen in the game of baseball. Playing for the Fort Worth Cats in 1955, Pignatano was listed as the number 8 batter in the lineup on May 29. In the second inning he went to the plate in the number 7 spot and hit a home run. On appeal by the opposing Shreveport Sports, the hit was nullified and the proper batter, Maury Wills, was called out. Pignatano then batted in the number 8 spot, and hit another homer.
He played with the AAA Montreal Royals in 1957 hitting .299 over 70 games. His actual on-field debut as a catcher with the Dodgers came on June 4, 1957 in a game against the Chicago Cubs replacing Roy Campanella in the fifth inning and catching Sandy Koufax. He singled in his first MLB at bat. Although I cannot remember it, I would have been listening to that game as I rarely ever missed a Dodger game on radio. Vin Scully, in Scully style, on air asked anyone who knew the Pignatano family to call Joe’s wife at home in Brooklyn to alert her of Joe’s impending debut.
Pignatano served as a back-up catcher with the Dodgers for four years and racked up a couple of special moments, especially one in 1959 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In fact, it is his favorite memory coming in the game with the Milwaukee Brewers on September 29. With the league championship on the line and two-out he entered the game as a pinch runner and replaced John Roseboro who had been lifted for a pinch hitter.
“Well, I tell you what. The greatest moment for me, you know, I played sparingly, but in 1959 we’re playing the Braves for the pennant, the playoff games, and I come up in the bottom of the 12th inning, after Hodges. We had two out, Hodges walked, and I singled. And then Furillo singled. And we won the pennant. That was my greatest moment in the big leagues. Even getting the base hit my first time at bat. But that day, my hit helped us get to a World Series.”
“I can still hear Vin Scully’s call, ‘We’re going to Chicago,’” said Pignatano.
Stepping back a bit, Pignatano is part of Brooklyn Dodger trivia. On Tuesday, September 24, 1957, he was behind the plate during the final five innings of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ last home game, played at Ebbets Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He relieved starting catcher Roy Campanella in the top of the fifth inning with the Dodgers leading 2–0 and helped guide pitcher Danny McDevitt to a complete game shutout victory. Pignatano earned a ring in 1959 as the upstart Dodgers took out the Chicago White Sox in six games. Following the 1960 season he was traded to the Kansas City Athletics where he hoped he would get more of a starting role but it didn’t quite work out.
“I enjoyed Kansas City. I hit well for a while and owner Charlie Finley took care of us. As long as I had a uniform I really didn’t care where I was.”
It was the only season in which Pignatano played in more than 90 games or had more than 200 at-bats.
He finished off his playing career in 1962 with brief stints with the San Francisco giants and New York Mets. Although not a highlight, it is a bit of trivia and as we say anything that can happen in the game of baseball will happen. He is the only major league player to end his career by hitting into a triple play, which he did while playing for the Mets in the eighth inning on September 30, 1962. Pignatano, like so many MBL players at that time, always worked in the offseason. He worked as a plumber’s helper for about 10 years and then 23 years with the A&S Department Store in Brooklyn helping with toys before Christmas and the January White Sale.
“I needed to work in the off season to make ends meet,” he said.
Pignatano returned to baseball in 1965 when manager Gil Hodges asked him to join the coaching staff with the Washington Senators. Pignatano worked for the Senators from 1965 to 1967 before following Hodges to New York. Yogi Berra was established as the first base coach on the Mets, so Pignatano moved to the bullpen.
“My job was to work with the relievers, make sure they were ready, and advise Gil,” he said.
With the Mets he earned a second ring in 1969.
“That season was baseball at its best,” he said. “We had a bunch of young kids and a few veterans playing great. [Donn] Clendenon won a lot of games for us with late hits, and Jerry Grote remains the best defensive catcher I have ever seen.”
Baseball, perhaps more than any other team sport, is often seen as a game with superstitions. Joe Pignatano is reputed to have one that may be unique among superstitions. It centers around his garden in the Mets bullpen.
“In 1969 I discovered a wild tomato plant in the bullpen and nurtured it the rest of the season,” he remembered. “We got some tomatoes off it, but most important we won the whole thing. After that, I kept up the garden as long as I was with the Mets as a good luck charm.”
He served as a coach with the Mets until 1981 and ended his coaching career with three years in Atlanta under manager Joe Torre.
I believe Joe Pignatano still carries a soft spot in his heart for Ebbet’s Field.
“Ebbet’s Field was quaint. It was beautiful. I mean, it was a fan’s ballpark. You went around, that park was the home of us and they were like all our friends, the fans. I mean, they just loved us. But ironically, I get to play my first game in Ebbet’s Field, my first at-bat I get a base hit in Ebbet’s Field, and I was the last catcher in Ebbet’s Field. And that ballpark to me was the greatest in the world, because it was my home and it was my start.”
Perhaps this helps explain the Miracle Mets: Gil Hodges manager, Rube Walker pitching coach, Joe Pignatano bullpen coach
I never tire of stories like this. I love reading about the Brooklyn team. Thank you, Harold.
Thank you rb. I never tire either and every player has such a unique story. Joe Pignatano made a significant difference in his coaching life and as a played was a great teammate. I am not sure why he retired as early as he did but he has lived a very healthy, active life since retirement.
When asked about Campy by Marty Lurie Joe answered,
JP: Campy was a great man, and he was a great student of the game and helped all us kids. He did. And it was great. I mean, that whole ball club – Gil, Gil was the best human being I ever met. He was a super guy. And that whole ball club – Gilliam, Peewee. Peewee was a father figure. I mean, he was the glue that kept that ball club together. He was. And Snider. The whole ball club. It was just great. And Rube, I used to stand next to Rube. Rube had the funniest line. I said, “What are you gonna do today, Rube?” He says, “I’m gonna go down there at the end of the line and sit down and watch a big league club play.”
Rube being Rube Walker who was also a backup catcher.
the picture with campy at the beginning looks like Rube Walker
It is Walker
Harold, you struck a nerve with this article…When Carl Furillo moved to Manhattan Beach… Once myself and a few buds found out where he lived, headed over to tree section as they called it to try and grab an autograph… Carl wasn’t home and as we left we passed by a couple small bunalows below Carl’s house… That’s where I ran into Joe P… We talked for hours about the art of catching and most anything that interested him… He spoke of Campy as being elite in MLB catching ranks..
Oh well, long story short, I’ve still got a few Piggy signed trading cards… I’ll bring em out occasionally and the most often asked question was who is that??? Well I’ll tell ya if you gotta minute or thirty…
Great game last night… Sad at times with no crowd, but I’ll get over that…
peterj – How cool is that?
Hello Pete – hope life is good.
Gotta say that the quality of writing on this Blog is of a very very high level.
Thanks Harold for another enjoyable read.
Pete – my US Golf Trip is next May, all bring well. Really, really hope everything is somewhere back to normal by then!
So, here is the invitation to anyone who fancies taking in a game?
Unfortunately the Dodgers have away games scheduled for the weekend I’m
In LA (May 7,8,9 2021).
However – they are playing the Freeway Series with the Angels all three days!!!!
So, Pete, Bobby, Badger (now you’re an OC dweller), and anyone else who fancies it? – sorry can’t remember where you all live.
The Dodgers in Anaheim – sounds great.
I know it’s a long way off, but stick it in the diary – we can decide which day once the timings have been sorted.
Would be great to take a game in with you boys.
Something to look forward to during these depressing times…
I think the Badgerer is no longer in here (okay I know he is lurking, just to see if anyone missed him, my post will prompt him to appear, just wait for it), when people got tired of the incessant shyte stirring, the Badgerer took his stick to stir shyte elsewhere. Who says nothing good came out of the virus?
Watford, you are definitely planning long term, by next May I think things will be much improved. Heck, by May I’ll be living in Idaho and not having to deal with the disaster that California has become. I’ll join you in spirit by very long distance however.
No need to bad mouth Badger. He is a knowledgeable poster who loves Baseball, speaks his own mind, and is a plus on a board like this. I’ve always enjoyed his presence and have no problem with him, at all.
No bad mouth, just stating a fact, Badgerer likes to stir shyte, it’s pretty obvious.
I know Badger a lot better than you do. If he is not posting it is not because he is waiting to stir up things. He is more interested in talking baseball than just shooting the breeze. So when the games actually start, and there is something to talk about, he will be back. He lives in Orange county and the way things are out in California, he has more important things to worry about than stirring up shyte.
I loved this article too. Thank you DC. The start in Brooklyn, the phone call from another Dodger Blue Mom, the WS ring with those amazing Mets, managed by the amazing Gil Hodges, to the tomato plant in the bullpen. Good stuff.
Joe P. Remember him well. Rarely got into a game, but played hard every time he was out there. I have a few of his cards. Looking at that photo of Gil with Campy, Branca, Piggy, and Walker is nostalgic too. Behind every great player is someone willing to spend the time working on his craft just in case. You can look back over the history of the team, and somewhere, some time, some scrub who rarely plays is going to make an impact. And it happens every year at some point. Charlie Culberson hitting the clinching homer at Vin Scully’s last game. Cookie Lavagetto breaking up Bill Biven’s no hitter and getting Brooklyn the win in the World Series game. And at that time, an injured aging Carl Furillo hitting the game winning single to secure the pennant against the Braves. With an assist from Piggy who kept the inning alive. And how about Mike Davis, a total bust as a free agent, hitting under .200 during the season, draws a walk with 2 out in the 9th and the Dodgers trailing allowing Kirk Gibson to pinch hit and hit the most dramatic homer in Dodger history. Great story Harold.
You mentioned “sad at times with no crowd” peterj.
Bill Shaikin at the LA Times has a great column today about a time Vinnie had to fake a broadcast from the Bahamas while he was actually in Florida. He had help with the crowd noise too.
Who knew Vinnie would pull the wool over our eyes like that? 🙂
https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2020-07-20/dodgers-vin-scully-ronald-reagan-crowd-noise-broadcast
Fun article DC. Just like yesterday’s profile of Negro League players, I love reading about the past players. Nice to hear he’s still with us. I wonder why the organization would release a player after a couple of weeks. Good on his proactive mom getting him another chance. Stories like this are why I enjoy this blog so much.
Great article, Harold.
If I am not mistaken, I think that John Franco and Pete Falcone are Piggy’s cousins! He coached them when he was with the Mets.
You are correct. I had that in my notes and missed it. Thanks.
I know that this has nothing to do with what you are talking about, but I found the news about Yasiel Puig interesting, it will not be signed by Atlanta because he tested positive for coronavirus, but I think someone here had already mentioned it before
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/07/yasiel-puig-tests-positive-for-coronavirus.html
Wat, count me in, my man!
I thought last night’s game was a good start. Mitch White looked great to me. So many of the Dodgers did well, most of them, especially Cody. Wow. And one of my favs, Joc, got another hit off a LHP. Good on him.
DC…..Since you like catchers, do you think they would make good managers when they quit playing as they are used to seeing the whole game in front of them and involved in every play. It is said that catchers are the quarterbacks of the team. Agree?
Not DC, but…catchers can and do make good managers. They need to understand the game as it lays out in front of them. They need to understand the hitter so they can call a good game for his pitcher. They are very much involved in the pre-game strategy. They know what is working for the pitcher that night and what is not, and need to make adjustments on the fly. They are not brainier, they just have to understand and process more. Generally speaking, catchers have a very good baseball IQ.
The list of exe catchers who managed in the majors is long. And there are still some doing it now. Matheny. the new KC skipper is one. Bochy was a catcher if memory serves. So was Wilbert Robinson. I am sorry Scioscia never got a shot here. Torre started out at a catcher, Girardi who is the new Phils skipper is one too. Yost, also was a catcher. Famous Yankees who caught and late managed includes Berra and Dickey. Branch Rickey and Connie Mack were both catchers. Geren was a catcher too Even Norm Sherry got a shot in the bigs as a manager. So did Jeff Torborg, who caught 2 no hitters, and notable, Koufax’s perfect game.
Bob Geren
I know he cheated but AJ Hinch was a catcher.
Jim Leyland
More current:
Kevin Cash (Rays)
Bob Melvin (A’s)
Scott Servais (Mariners)
Joe Maddon (Angels)
Brandon Hyde (Orioles)
David Ross (Cubs)
Derek Shelton (Pirates)
Brian Snitker (Braves)
Brad Ausmus (former manager)
What Jeff said. Put it all together and it is a feel for the game. Catching, in my opinion, is the most difficult position to play in all of professional sports. They perform when they are tired, when they have minor injuries, when it is unbearably hot and they are weighted down with equipment. While behind the plate they cannot take a pitch off. I think it makes them more understanding as managers when players on their squad have struggles during the season. They don’t forget, as Bill Haselman hasn’t, how difficult this game is to play.
Oh my gosh, DC, how could I forget about one of my fav AAA managers, Mr. Bill Haselman. I must be brain-fatigued today. Thanks.
Thank you AC and Bear. I had no idea there were so many ex-catchers that became managers. I knew about Bochy and Scioscia but was not aware of some of the others. I guess I remember them more as players, my bad. I also think a pitcher might make a smart manager like Black for example.
I am trying to think of a pitcher who is/was a manager. Other than Bud Black, I am not aware of any current. Some former pitchers:
Tommy Lasorda
Dallas Green
Roger Craig
John Farrell
Bob Lemon
Mickey Callaway
Here is an article about the success or lack thereof about pitchers becoming managers.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2476497
Middle infielders are undoubtedly the next group of successful managers.
Managers can come from most any position. Alston was a former first baseman, as was Hodges. But Gil was signed as a catcher. There are 18 catchers now in the hall. Bench, Berra, Bresnahan, Campanella, Carter, Cochrane, Dickey, Ewing, Ferrell, Fisk, Gibson, Hartnett, Lombardi, Mackey, Piazza, Rodriguez, Santop, Schalk, and Ted Simmons who goes in this year. Managers in the hall, Mack, McGraw, Robinson, McCarthy, McKechnie, Huggins, Stengel, Harris, Lopez, Foster, Alston, Durocher, Hanlon, Weaver, LaSorda, Selee, Anderson, Southworth, Williams, Herzog, Cox, LaRussa, Durocher, Alston, Robinson, and Lasorda went in wearing Dodger caps. I believe that AJ Ellis would be an excellent manager.
Very interesting article and I agree with a lot of what the players said. I guess the pitchers are not enough well-versed in hitting, fielding etc. I agree also that maybe pitching coach would be a better goal in retirement. Thanks for the information. I will stick with catchers, myself, although I think there are some very smart pitchers.
Tonight’s Lineup:
1. Betts RF
2. Muncy 1B
3. Turner 3B
4. Bellinger CF
5. Seager SS
6. Pollock LF
7. Pederson DH
8. CT3 2B
9. Smith C
The possibility exists that Gavin Lux may not be on the 30-man roster. McKinstry might play 2B against RHP and Kike or CT3 against LHP. Gavin may need more time.
Suit man is in his normal seat on the front row. I was hoping they would do that.
This lineup is out of control
This is like little league butt whipping. MLB needs to relegate the NL West to triple A..
First game I’ve caught since Julio went upstairs on Calhoun, and good to see Urias shows no difference in his aggression on the mound. He looked good, and I was very impressed with how he reacted in the 5th inning.
I love seeing Dodgers baseball again, but it is very strange playing in an empty stadium. It will be a fascinating case study for the years ahead. The crowd or lack thereof, has to have some sort of impact on the players performances – for better or worse. I expect some lesser regarded players to play well above what’s expected for them, and conversely, some highly regarded ones struggle to meet their typical numbers without whatever they draw from the emotion and intensity of live fan support. Could be a topsy turvy season.
It was nice to see Kaybear. You got a glimpse at his quick hands as he hit a rope on a 96 MPH fastball. He looked good and fit
2 butt whippins in a row. Az pitchers must be in shock. I love the way Seager is playing. He looks very good. Joe and Orel were in mid season form with their typical bad jokes and asides.
I’ve watched all the games and as far as I can tell everyone but Lux is ready. Backups won’t matter much as all the starters, barring injury or infection, will go every day. We should again win this going away.
I totally agree about Lux. He does not look ready at the plate nor in the field. Those throws last night were really bad.
I know some people here are big fans of the Athletic and of MLB.tv. If you happen to be a T-Mobile user, you can get a free year on the athletic and a free season fo MLB.tv today.
I feel sorry for Lux while agreeing he does not look ready either fielding or hitting. I do wonder what made him late for camp. It seems to affect his confidence. I hope he gets it together soon as I see great things for him this year.
I like the kid. But he sure looked out of sorts the last couple of days. No reason was being given for his late arrival. Right now, I would not have him as the opening day starter against a guy like Cueto. But he will probably get the nod.
DODGERS SIGN LHP JAKE MCGEE TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT
RHP JIMMY NELSON PLACED ON 45-DAY INJURED LIST
LOS ANGELES –The Dodgers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with left-handed pitcher Jake McGee. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers have transferred right-handed pitcher Jimmy Nelson to the 45-day injured list. McGee will join the Dodgers roster today.
McGee, 33, was placed on waivers by the Colorado Rockies on Friday after four seasons with club. In four years with the Rockies, he went 4-11 with a 4.78 ERA (104 ER/195.2 IP) in 225 games, including an 0-2 mark with a 4.35 ERA (20 ER/41.1 IP) in 45 games in 2019. In his 10-year Major League career, he is combined 25-22 with a 3.64 ERA (184 ER/455.1 IP) and 497 strikeouts in 522 games. The southpaw was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Nelson, 31, had season-ending lumbar surgery on July 6. The righty did not appear in a game for the Dodgers after signing on January 7. Prior to signing with the Dodgers, he spent six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, going 33-46 with a 4.22 ERA (297 ER/633.1 IP) and 578 strikeouts.
DODGERS OPTION IF GAVIN LUX
LOS ANGELES– The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned infielder Gavin Lux.
Lux, 22, played in 23 games last year for the Dodgers, batting .240 (18-for-75) with two homers and nine RBI. He made his Major League debut on September 2, going 2-for-5 with three runs scored against Colorado. Prior to joining the Dodgers, the Kenosha, WI native split time between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, batting a combined .347 (159-for-523) with 26 homers and 76 RBI in 113 games. He has been with the Dodgers organization since being drafted in the first round of the 2016 First Year Player Draft from Indian Trail High School. In four minor league seasons, across five levels, he has hit a combined .305 (481-for-1801) with 48 homers and 193 RBI.
Looks like we might have a platoon at 2B.
I think Gavin had his priorities laid out in the wrong order. He wanted to win the ROY.
His goal should have been to make the team.
I can see Kike and Zach McKinstry at 2B.
He appeared distracted from the day I first saw him. I wonder what has been going on with him personally.
Alright Jake McGee! Another reclamation project but things are looking real positive for the last one in Treinen. This bullpen I think is going to go down as one of the best in years. Last night bullpen gave up just 2 hits and only one walk and no runs.