RIP To Yankee Original Joe Pepitone (1940-2023)
Good morning, Sports fans. Davey Mac here with another Sports Report for ya. Football news…when’s Aaron Rodgers signing with the Jets already? Giants sign a linebacker, Plus, baseball, basketball, and…
BRONX, NY – JULY 18: Joe Pepitone attends a pre-game ceremony in honor of “Yogi Berra Day” during the MLB game between the Montreal Expos and the New York Yankees on July 18, 1999 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Expos 6-0. (Photo by Vincent Laforet/Getty Images)
Good morning, Sports fans. Davey Mac here with another Sports Report for ya. Football news...when's Aaron Rodgers signing with the Jets already? Giants sign a linebacker, Plus, baseball, basketball, and hockey. But first...
...Sad to report that a classic Yankee personality, Joe Pepitone, has died at the age of 82. His daughter found him in his home deceased (possibly from a heart attack).
NEW YORK - JULY 19: Former New York Yankee Joe Pepitone is introduced during the teams 63rd Old Timers Day before the game against the Detroit Tigers on July 19, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Pepitone was a very good first baseman for the Yankees in the 1960's...making three All Star teams and winning three Gold Gloves while winning a World Series with the Yanks in 1962.
NEW YORK - JULY 17: Joe Pepitone looks on during the New York Yankees 64th Old-Timer's Day before the MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 17, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
But, he was also known for his larger-than-life personality. He was considered one of the first guys to bring a blow-drier into the locker room for his hair. Once, when I was at a Yankee Old Timer's Game in the late '80's, I remember Pepitone bringing the blow-drier out into the field...it was hysterical. He would sport a pompadour for years to come...and certainly made it known that he loved the ladies.
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 11: Baseball legend Joe Pepitone and actress Pamela Anderson attend Annual Charity Day Hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC at BGC Partners, INC on September 11, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald)
And not only was Pepitone a real original for his time with the Yankees...but he also became a bit of a pop culture legend as he was referenced on both Seinfeld and The Sopranos. On Seinfeld, while Kramer was moonlighting as a horse carriage drive, Kramer claimed that it was Pepitone who "designed" Central Park.
And then in The Sopranos, during a flashback scene, a younger Junior Soprano picks up a little Tony and tells him that Pepitone had three RBI's in last night's game.
Like I said...Joe was larger-than-life. A true character. Here's a statement from the New York Yankees on the loss of Pepitone...
Pepitone was a true Yankee legend. Born in Brooklyn...Joe seemed to get our area but also the fun and entertaining side of Sports and of being a New York Yankee. He will be missed.
- Davey Mac
MONTCLAIR, NJ - APRIL 29: Former New York Yankee Joe Pepitone attends the press conference announcing Mickey Mantle Signed Contract Auction To Assist Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund at Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center on April 29, 2013 in Montclair, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
RodgersWatch: Still Hasn't Made A Decision!
Let’s start with football where analyst and broadcaster Trey Wingo is reporting that the Aaron Rodgers-to-the-Jets deal has been completed. Here’s Wingo’s tweet:
But still…..we have NOT heard from Rodgers himself. Ultimately, he’s the final person who has to sign off on this trade…the Jets and Packers have reportedly agreed already…it’s all up to Rodgers.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 01: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on January 01, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Kayla Wolf/Getty Images)
Giants Sign Linebacker
On the Giants side of things, the Giants have signed free agent linebacker Bobby Okereke to a four-year, $40 million contract, with $22 million guaranteed. Last year with the Colts, Okereke had a career-high 151 tackles.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 17: Bobby Okereke #58 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after returning a two point conversion during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
NBA Tonight: Knicks Vs. Trail Blazers
The Knicks, Nets, and 76’ers were all off yesterday. Tonight the Knicks go against the Trail Blazers in Portland. The Knicks are 40 and 30 (6th in the Eastern Conference).
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 15: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks directs his teammates in the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on May 15, 2021 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Nets Vs. Thunder
The Nets take on the Thunder in Oklahoma City. The Nets are 39 and 29 (5th in the East).
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 24: Nic Claxton #33 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on February 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
76'ers Vs. Cavs On Wednesday
The Sixers play on Wednesday in Cleveland. Philly is 54 and 22...3rd in the East.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Center on February 23, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
NHL Tonight: Devils Vs. Lightning
The Devils, Rangers, and Flyers were inactive last night. This evening the Devils face the Lightning at the Prudential Center. The Devils are 44-16-6 for the season.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MARCH 12: Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Prudential Center on March 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Rangers Vs. Capitals
The Rangers go against the Capitals in Madison Square Garden. The Rangers are 37-19-10.
MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 09: Filip Chytil #72 and goaltender Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers celebrate a victory against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on March 9, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The New York Rangers defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in a shootout. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Flyers Vs. Golden Knights
The Flyers play the Golden Knights in Philly. The Flyers are 24-31-11.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 05: Noah Cates #49 and Scott Laughton #21 of the Philadelphia Flyers look on following a goal by Laughton against the Detroit Red Wings at Wells Fargo Center on March 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Baseball Spring Training: Yanks Lose To Twins
The Yankees lost to the Twins…one to nothing. The Yanks are 8 and 9 this Spring.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 06: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees signs autographs prior to a Grapefruit League Spring Training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 06, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Mets Defeat Miami
The Mets beat the Marlins…9 to 3. The Mets are 7 and 8 in the preseason.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: Starling Marte #6 of the New York Mets hits a double in the seventh inning of the Spring Training game against the New York Mets at Clover Park on March 27, 2022 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Phillies Play Today
The Phillies were off. They play the Braves today. The Phils are 8 and 7.
DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - APRIL 02: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies is hit with a pitch in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during a Grapefruit League spring training game at TD Ballpark on April 02, 2022 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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