View text source at Wikipedia
Joe Pittman | |
---|---|
![]() Pittmann with the Nashville Sounds in 1985 | |
Infielder | |
Born: Houston, Texas | January 1, 1953|
Died: June 13, 2014 Lake Jackson, Texas | (aged 61)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 25, 1981, for the Houston Astros | |
Last MLB appearance | |
May 30, 1984, for the San Francisco Giants | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .263 |
On-base percentage | .309 |
Slugging average | .302 |
Games played | 139 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Joseph Wayne Pittman (January 1, 1953 – June 13, 2014) was a backup infielder/outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants in parts of three seasons spanning 1981–1984. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m), 180 pounds (82 kg), Pittman batted and threw right handed. He was dubbed 'Shoes'.[1]
Born in Houston, Texas, Pittman was selected by the Astros in the 5th round of the 1975 MLB Draft[1] out of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He debuted professionally for their Double-A Columbus Astros club late in the year.
In between, he played winter baseball with the Cardenales de Lara and Navegantes de Magallanes clubs of the Venezuelan League.[2] He then won the Senior Professional Baseball Association championship with the St. Petersburg Pelicans in its 1989 inaugural season.[3]
Following his playing retirement, Pittman coached in the minors[4] and also served as an scout for the Astros organization.[1]
In June 2014, Pittman was working a construction job in Freeport, Texas, when he suddenly collapsed. Immediate attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.[4] He died in Lake Jackson, Texas, at the age of 61.[5]