Joe Pepitone was a famous baseball player who played for the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves from 1962 to 1973. He was also the first player to bring a hair dryer into the clubhouse, earning him the nickname “The Blow Dryer”. But how much did he earn from his baseball career and what was his net worth at the time of his death in 2023?
Joe Pepitone’s Baseball Career
Pepitone was born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 9, 1940. He grew up in a tough neighborhood and was abused by his father, who also died when Pepitone was 17. He started playing baseball at a young age and was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1958. He made his major league debut in 1962, playing behind Moose Skowron at first base. He soon became the regular first baseman for the Yankees and a key member of their lineup. He batted .271 with 27 home runs and 89 RBIs in 1963, helping the Yankees win the American League pennant. He also won his first of three Gold Glove Awards for his defensive skills.
Pepitone had his best season in 1964, when he hit .251 with 28 home runs and 100 RBIs. He also hit a grand slam in Game 6 of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, but the Yankees lost the series in seven games. Pepitone remained a productive hitter for the Yankees until 1969, when he began to clash with the team management and left the team without permission for two days in August. He was traded to the Astros in December of that year.
Pepitone played only 14 games for the Astros before being traded again to the Cubs in May 1970. He had a resurgence with the Cubs, hitting .293 with 26 home runs and 79 RBIs in 1970 and .307 with 16 home runs and 61 RBIs in 1971. He also became a fan favorite in Chicago for his colorful personality and flamboyant style. He played two more seasons with the Cubs before being traded to the Braves in May 1973. He played only 31 games for the Braves before leaving for Japan to play for the Yakult Atoms. He retired from baseball after playing only 29 games for the Atoms.
Pepitone’s career statistics include a .258 batting average, 219 home runs, 721 RBIs, and three All-Star selections. He also won three Gold Glove Awards and was known as one of the best defensive first basemen of his era.
Joe Pepitone’s Net Worth
According to some sources, Pepitone’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be around $18 million . However, this figure may not be accurate, as Pepitone had a turbulent life after his baseball career. He struggled with drug addiction, gambling debts, legal troubles, and health problems. He was arrested several times for drug possession, assault, theft, and other charges. He also lost most of his money to bad investments, lawsuits, alimony payments, and taxes. He wrote two autobiographies, Joe, You Coulda Made Us Proud (1975) and Joe Pepitone: In My Own Words (2015), in which he revealed many details about his personal life and baseball career.
Pepitone died on March 13, 2023, at the age of 82, from complications of diabetes and kidney failure . He was survived by his fourth wife Stephanie Deeker and his four children from his previous marriages: Joanne, Joseph Jr., Pauline, and Lisa.
Joe Pepitone was a baseball star who made millions from his playing career but also spent millions on his lavish lifestyle and vices. His net worth may have been high at some point but it also fluctuated greatly due to his financial troubles and legal issues. He was a controversial figure who had many fans and critics alike. He was remembered as one of the most colorful characters in baseball history.
