1965 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"Joe Pepitone set personal highs in home runs and RBIs in 1964, yet had a disappointing season in the eyes of his rooters. Not that 28 home runs and 100 RBIs isn't an enviable record.
But so much more was expected of the Brooklyn-born first sacker. His batting average dropped 20 points and his fielding was way off from his first full season as regular Yankee first baseman. Joe attributes these deficiencies to lack of concentration, and he concentrated this spring. He feels he must concentrate more at bat and not go for the long ball. He doesn't have to swing hard to hit home runs. He has supple wrists and what the trade calls a fast bat.
Pepitone came up through the Yankee farm system as a center fielder but was converted to first base. He played it so well when he broke in with the Bombers that Bobby Richardson was able to play close to second base, and the entire infield had greater range and far more protection.
Pepitone, at 24, should have his biggest years still ahead of him. With natural power that is best suited for the construction of Yankee Stadium, with a good swing, good speed and an inherent grace in the field, Joseph Anthony Pepitone could be a Yankee star for years to come. How far he goes depends, as he says, on his own drive and concentration."
-The New York Yankees Official 1965 Yearbook
"In many ways, the 1964 season was Joe Pepitone's finest. After all, didn't he hit 28 home runs, the highest total of his diamond career? In addition, didn't he also bang home 100 runs, the highest total of his career in that category? As a result of such batting feats, the 24-year-old first sacker, who also doubles as an occasional center fielder, received a slight raise for 1965, which no doubt makes him quite happy.
Though Pepi finished with a lowly .154 average in the '64 Series, he nevertheless connected for a grand slam off reliever Gordon Richardson in the sixth game to go down in Series annals as the 10th player to accomplish that sterling feat.
Pepi likes to play and is very durable as witness his having appeared in 157 games in '63 and 160 last year. The Brooklyn-born first sacker, who now resides in River Edge, New Jersey with his wife and two youngsters, accomplished the rare feat of coming to bat 250 consecutive times between July 4 and Labor Day last season without receiving a walk.
Joe has been criticized for his comparatively erratic fielding in '64 after showing up brilliantly in previous campaigns. It could be that some future campaign could see him wind up permanently in the outer garden because of his fine mobility and range. But then again, the club would have to find someone capable of playing a better initial sack than Joe in order to make that move.
Pepi, who signed with the Bombers on August 13, 1958, tied a major league mark by hitting a pair of homers in one inning against the Kansas City A's on May 23, 1962. On his way up the ladder to the Yankees, Joe's way-stops included Auburn, Fargo-Moorehead, Binghamton, Amarillo and Richmond. He first came up at the start of 1962 but was sent to the Virginians midway through the campaign. Permanently assigned to first in '63, he aims to stick around for a long, long time."
-Jay Publishing 1965 New York Yankees Yearbook
Signed by Yankee organization, April 13, 1958.
Tied major league record by hitting two home runs in one inning, against Kansas City, May 23, 1962.
Led Yankees in games played (157), total bases (260) and RBIs (89), 1963.
Knocked in winning run 16 times, more than any other Yankee, 1963.
One of 10 to hit a grand slam in the World Series, 8th inning, October 14, 1964.
-1965 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
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