NEW YORK -- 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.
"He was fairly committed to taking care of his tomatoes," former Mets pitcher Jim McAndrew told The Associated Press.
"It was Joe's thing," he said.