Charlie Puleo – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Charlie Puleo isn’t exactly a household name like Tom Seaver or Dwight Gooden, but his nine-year run in Major League Baseball tells a pretty interesting story of grit, perseverance, and the kind of unexpected fame that sometimes comes out of nowhere. He pitched right-handed from 1981 to 1989 for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, and Atlanta Braves, wrapping up his career with a 29-39 record and a 4.25 ERA in 180 games.

Puleo was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, in 1955, and made his MLB debut with the Mets at 26. His career took a sharp turn when the Mets traded him to Cincinnati in the deal that brought Tom Seaver back in 1983.

You probably won’t find Puleo’s stats on any all-time leaderboards, but his journey through the majors gives you a look at the ups and downs of playing at baseball’s highest level. From his days as a kid in New Jersey to his last outing with Atlanta in 1989, his story mirrors the experience of a lot of solid players who helped shape Major League Baseball in the 1980s.

Early Life and Education

Charles Michael Puleo was born on February 7, 1955, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. He started building his athletic skills there, which later became the foundation of his professional career.

His path from multi-sport high school athlete to MLB pitcher started at Bloomfield High School and continued through a standout college run at Seton Hall University.

Childhood in Glen Ridge, New Jersey

Charlie Puleo grew up in Glen Ridge, a small suburb in Essex County. Born in 1955, he came of age in a time when baseball was just woven into American life.

The Glen Ridge community gave young athletes plenty of support. Puleo found his love for sports early on, surrounded by neighbors who cared.

His family and those early Glen Ridge years shaped his work ethic and character. That stuff stuck with him as he chased his baseball dream.

Living so close to New York City, Puleo got to see big-league baseball up close. I’d bet that kind of exposure fueled his ambitions.

Bloomfield High School Baseball Experience

Puleo went to Bloomfield High School in New Jersey and stood out as a multi-sport athlete. He lettered in both baseball and basketball, showing off his versatility.

His pitching at Bloomfield caught the eye of college scouts. He really started to hone his skills during those high school years.

The competition at Bloomfield High prepared him for the next level. Coaches saw his potential early and pushed him to get better.

Later, the school inducted him into the Bloomfield Athletic Hall of Fame. That honor says a lot about the mark he left there.

Seton Hall University Athletics

Thanks to his high school success, Puleo earned a full ride to play baseball at Seton Hall University. That gave him a shot at Division I ball while working toward his degree.

He pitched for the Pirates and played on the 1974 and 1975 College World Series teams. Those games put him on a national stage against some of the best college competition.

Statistically, he crushed it at Seton Hall. When he graduated, he held the record for most pitching victories in school history.

Seton Hall later inducted him into their Athletic Hall of Fame. That college run set him up pretty well for a shot at the pros.

Journey to Major League Baseball

Charlie Puleo’s route to the majors started at Bloomfield High School, where he sharpened his pitching before signing with the New York Mets. He worked his way through the minors and finally made his MLB debut in September 1981.

Amateur Baseball and Signing as an Undrafted Free Agent

Puleo played ball at Bloomfield High School in the early ‘70s. He stood 6-foot-2 and weighed about 190 pounds, so he had the build scouts liked.

After his high school run, he caught the attention of MLB scouts. The Mets saw something in the righty from Glen Ridge and took a chance.

He signed with the Mets as an undrafted free agent. That’s not the usual route, but it gave him a shot at the big leagues.

Puleo’s pro journey started with that signing. He spent a few years working his way up through the minor leagues.

Minor League Progression and Development

Charles Puleo put in the work in the Mets’ farm system through the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. He kept refining his mechanics and learning what it took to pitch at the next level.

He developed his pitch mix while climbing through the minors. His performances convinced the Mets to hold onto him.

Puleo’s minor league career lasted a few seasons as he adjusted to tougher hitters and the grind of pro baseball.

By 1981, he’d shown enough to get called up to the Mets. That minor league experience set the stage for his eight-year MLB run, from 1981 to 1989.

Major League Career Overview

Charlie Puleo pitched in the majors for eight seasons, from 1981 to 1989. He posted a 29-39 record and a 4.25 ERA in 180 games.

He debuted with the New York Mets, then went to the Cincinnati Reds, and wrapped up his career with the Atlanta Braves.

MLB Debut with the New York Mets

Puleo made his big-league debut on September 16, 1981, with the Mets at age 26. He pitched 2.1 innings against the Phillies, gave up just one hit, and struck out one.

During 1981, Puleo tossed 13.1 scoreless innings over four games. He started once and came out of the bullpen three times.

His first full season came in 1982. He appeared in 36 games, started 24, and finished with a 9-9 record and a 4.47 ERA. He logged 171 innings and struck out 98 batters.

Key 1982 Stats:

• Record: 9-9
• ERA: 4.47
• Strikeouts: 98
• Innings Pitched: 171.0

After 1982, the Mets traded Puleo to the Reds in the deal that brought Tom Seaver back to New York.

Career with the Cincinnati Reds

Puleo joined the Reds in 1983 and, honestly, had a tough go. He went 6-12 with a 4.89 ERA that season, starting 24 out of 27 games.

It was a rough year for him. He pitched 143.2 innings, allowed 145 hits, walked 91, and ended up with a WHIP of 1.643. His strikeouts fell to 71.

In 1984, he only pitched five games for Cincinnati. He went 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA in 22 innings. That was his last year with the Reds.

Cincinnati Reds Career Totals:

• Record: 7-14
• ERA: 5.00
• Games: 32
• Innings Pitched: 165.2

After Cincinnati, Puleo stepped away from MLB for the 1985 season.

Years with the Atlanta Braves

Puleo came back to the majors in 1986 with the Atlanta Braves and found a bit of a groove. He pitched for Atlanta from 1986 to 1989, going 13-16 with a 3.88 ERA.

His best year with the Braves was 1987. He finished 6-8 with a 4.23 ERA over 35 games, starting 16. He threw 123.1 innings and struck out 99, walking just 40.

In 1988, he mostly pitched out of the bullpen. He appeared in 53 games, started only three, and posted a 5-5 record with a 3.47 ERA. That was his busiest season.

Atlanta Braves Career Highlights:

• Best Season: 1987 (6-8, 4.23 ERA)
• Most Appearances: 53 in 1988
• Career-Low ERA: 2.96 in 1986

Puleo made his final MLB appearance on September 25, 1989, against the Astros. He pitched three innings, gave up one hit, walked two, and struck out two in a win.

Notable Moments and Trades

Charlie Puleo’s career had a few big moments that shaped his story. The Tom Seaver trade stands out, and his 1982 season was probably his personal high point.

Trade Involving Tom Seaver

Probably the most talked-about moment in Puleo’s career came before the 1983 season. The Mets traded him to the Reds, bringing Tom Seaver back to New York.

Seaver was a legend for the Mets. The trade let them reunite with their old ace, and Puleo was the main piece going to Cincinnati.

At first, the deal worked out for both sides. Seaver returned to New York, and Puleo joined the Reds’ rotation, making regular starts in ‘83 and ‘84.

For Puleo, the trade was a shot to prove himself as a regular starter. He played in 32 games over two seasons for Cincinnati, starting 28 and finishing with a 7-14 record and a 5.00 ERA.

Leading the Mets in 1982

In 1982, Puleo led the National League in double plays turned by a pitcher. That’s a quirky but cool stat, showing he had quick hands and good field awareness.

Pitchers who turn double plays need fast reflexes and solid teamwork with their infielders. That stat really highlights his defensive chops.

That year was his most productive with the Mets. He became a reliable arm for the pitching staff before getting shipped out in the Seaver trade.

Memorable Games and Performances

Puleo made his big-league debut on September 16, 1981, with the Mets. His career spanned eight seasons, ending on September 25, 1989, with the Braves.

He pitched in 180 games overall, with a 29-39 record and a 4.50 ERA. He played for three teams: the Mets, Reds, and Braves.

His last baseball card came out in the 1989 Upper Deck set. That card marked the end of his time in the majors.

Career Stats and Achievements

Charlie Puleo finished with a 29-39 record and a 4.25 ERA over eight major league seasons, from 1981 to 1989. He struck out 387 batters in 633 innings and made some solid defensive plays for three different National League teams.

Win-Loss Record and ERA

Charlie Puleo finished his career with a 29-39 win-loss record, showing how he bounced between starting and relieving throughout his time in the majors.

His best season probably came in 1982 with the New York Mets, when he posted a 9-9 record over 36 games.

He threw right-handed, and his career ERA sat at 4.25, though that number really depended on which team and year you looked at.

With the Atlanta Braves from 1986 to 1989, he put together a 3.88 ERA over four seasons, which was easily his best stretch.

In the 1983 season with Cincinnati, Puleo had a tough time, going 6-12 with a 4.89 ERA in 27 games.

That year marked his highest single-season loss total.

His ERA hit its peak at 5.00 during his two years with the Reds (1983-1984), when he went 7-14 overall.

But when he got to Atlanta, he managed a 13-16 record and did a much better job keeping runs off the board.

Strikeouts and Innings Pitched

Puleo struck out 387 batters over 633 innings in his eight-year career.

His strikeout rate really jumped during his Atlanta years—he fanned 204 hitters in 283 innings there.

In 1987 with Atlanta, he set his personal best with 99 strikeouts in 123.1 innings.

That year, he showed he could consistently get swings and misses, whether he started or came out of the bullpen.

He logged the most innings in 1982, pitching 171 frames for the Mets.

That season, he started 24 games and came out of the bullpen 12 more times.

His career strikeout-to-walk ratio landed at 1.21, which showed decent control.

With the Braves, he bumped that number up to 1.77, reflecting better command in his final years.

Defensive Highlights and Double Plays

Puleo’s defensive numbers showed he handled his position well.

He made just seven errors in 180 career games, which is a pretty respectable fielding percentage for a pitcher.

In 1982, he turned five double plays, tying his career high and really helping the team defensively.

That season highlighted his knack for handling comebackers and starting double plays.

He notched 204 career assists and made 34 putouts.

His range factor was 1.21 per game, which suggests he moved well enough for a pitcher.

In both 1981 and 1984, Puleo posted perfect 1.000 fielding percentages, though he didn’t play as many games those years.

His steady defense helped him stick with three different MLB teams over his career.

Legacy, Recognition, and Life After Retirement

Charlie Puleo’s baseball legacy really centers on his part in bringing Tom Seaver back to the New York Mets.

After baseball, he shifted gears into teaching and coaching in Tennessee, making a real difference in his community.

His baseball cards still pop up in collections, serving as reminders of his eight-year run in the majors and his life after the game.

Baseball Cards and Collectibles

Puleo appeared on a handful of baseball cards from 1981 through 1989.

His 1989 Upper Deck card stands out as one of his last as an active player, this time with the Atlanta Braves.

Collectors give his cards extra attention because of his link to the Tom Seaver trade.

People often hunt for his cards when they’re building New York Mets trade history sets.

His rookie cards from those early Mets days still draw some interest from collectors.

Most of his cards show him in the uniforms of the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, or Atlanta Braves.

For fans, those cards are little pieces of Mets history, especially considering his role in one of the team’s biggest trades.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Puleo made his biggest mark in the December 16, 1982 trade—he and Lloyd McClendon went to Cincinnati, and Tom Seaver came back to New York.

That deal made Puleo a permanent part of Mets trivia.

In 1982 with the New York Mets, he finished 9-9 with a 4.47 ERA.

He actually led all National League pitchers in double plays turned that year, which says a lot about his defensive skills.

At Seton Hall, he played alongside future MLB catcher Rick Cerone.

He helped his college team reach the College World Series in both 1974 and 1975.

Puleo went 27-7 with a 3.23 ERA in college, showing the kind of talent that eventually carried him to the majors.

Post-Baseball Career and Coaching

After he retired from baseball in 1989, Puleo threw himself into education and youth sports. He spent more than a decade working as a gym teacher and baseball coach in Blount County, Tennessee, from 2000 to 2011.

His coaching sparked new life in a local baseball program. The community named the baseball field where he coached after him, which honestly says a lot about how much they appreciated his efforts.

“This is very nice, a great honor, a very humbling occasion,” Puleo said when he heard about the recognition.

Puleo also took a job on a sports radio show in Louisville, Tennessee. He and his wife have four daughters, including Angela Puleo, who played college basketball at Vanderbilt University.

He stepped down from coaching so he could follow Angela’s basketball journey a little closer.

Angela averaged 5.0 points and 1.6 rebounds per game during the 2010-2011 season. She eventually became a Regional Vice President at Jackson Financial Services in Georgia.