Brooklyn-born Joseph Anthony Pepitone is a former first baseman and outfielder who played the bulk of his career for the New York Yankees. He also played several seasons with the Chicago Cubs and had short stints with the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. For a short time, he also "played" for the Yakult Atoms, (now the Tokyo Yakult Swallows) a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League - but he was largely absent.

If Joe Pepitone were a car, he’d be a Ferrari — powerful, Italian, and high-performance. He placed in the American League’s top 10 in total bases twice, in RBI twice, and in home runs thrice in his 12-year major-league career (1962-1973). He also clouted seven grand slams.

Defensively, Joe showed merit at first base in the junior circuit with a top-10 ranking four times for putouts, four times for assists, and four times for double plays. He also occupied the number-one slot in fielding percentage three times; in addition to first base, he played all three outfield positions.

But it is Pepitone’s off-the-field exploits that often grab more attention, and he became know for his behavior off the field. In 1975, Joe wrote a book about his life in baseball in "Joe, You Coulda Made Us Proud".

Joe has received mention in popular culture, including the Seinfeld episode re: "Kramer's Fantasy Camp."

(excerpted from SABR, BR Bullpen & Wikipedia)