Ex-mets coach Pignatano dies
Grew tomatoes in bullpen during 1969 miracle run
As a big leaguer, Joe Pignatano had a career that was more noteworthy than notable: He played in the last game at Ebbets Field, he homered off three future Hall of Famers and he hit into a triple play with his final swing in the majors.
It was out in the bullpen at Shea Stadium, where he tended relief pitchers and tomatoes for the 1969 Miracle Mets, where Pignatano’s legacy really grew.
Pignatano, who reached the majors as a catcher with his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers and became a longtime coach, died Monday at 92.
The New York Mets said Pignatano died in
Naples, Florida, at a nursing home. He had been suffering from dementia.
Pignatano had been the last living coach from the 1969 Mets.
He remained their bullpen coach through 1981.
A career .234 hitter, he played 307 games and hit 16 homers. Among those he tagged for homers were Robin Roberts, Warren Spahn and Jim Kaat, all of them Hall of Famers.
During the 1969 season, Pignatano discovered a tomato plant growing in the bullpen. As the Mets continued to win, the plant became something of a good-luck charm and his garden took root.
Pirates 2, Rockies 1: Ke’bryan Hayes had three hits and scored the tiebreaking run on Yoshi Tsutsugo’s infield single in the eighth.
Cubs 7, Reds 4: Ian Happ and Patrick Wisdom hit three-run homers and Chicago beat Cincinnati despite two home runs by Aristides Aquino.
Dodgers 10, Nationals 1: Tyler Anderson pitched eight shutout innings and Trea Turner had three RBIS in his first game against his former team.
Twins 5, Tigers 4: Max Kepler scored the winning run on Gio Urshela’s infield single after hitting a first-inning grand slam.