Joe Pignataro was born on August 4, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was married to Nancy Romandino. He died on May 23, 2022 in Naples, Florida, USA.
Catcher for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1957-1960), Kansas City
Athletics (1961), San Francisco Giants (1962) and New York Mets
(1962).
Member of 1959 World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers team.
Hit into a triple play in his last major league at-bat against the
Chicago Cubs on September 30, 1962.
Purchased by the New York Mets from the Giants on July 13, 1962.
Served as bullpen coach for the Mets from 1968 to 1981 and for the
Atlanta Braves from 1982 to 1984. Maintained a vegetable garden in the
Met bullpen at Shea Stadium in his later years as a coach.