Pete Falcone – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Pete Falcone put together a solid ten-year run in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher. He played for four National League teams between 1975 and 1984.

Born in Brooklyn, New York—the same city that gave us Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax—Falcone debuted with the San Francisco Giants at just 21. After that, he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves before finally hanging up his cleats.

Falcone retired from professional baseball after the 1984 season with the Atlanta Braves. He wrapped up his career with a 70-90 record, a 4.07 ERA, and 865 strikeouts in 325 games.

His retirement surprised a lot of people, especially Braves management. He was only 31 and had shown flashes of brilliance over the years.

Falcone’s path through baseball included some unforgettable moments. He tied a Major League record by striking out the first six batters of a game in 1980. As a rookie, he came within four outs of a no-hitter.

His story is one of talent, some tough breaks, and competing at the sport’s highest level during the late ’70s and early ’80s.

Early Life and Background

Pete Falcone entered the world as Peter Frank Falcone on October 1, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in an Italian-American family with deep baseball roots.

He spent his childhood in Brooklyn throughout the 1950s and 1960s. At Lafayette High School, he sharpened his pitching among other future major leaguers.

Family and Heritage

Falcone’s family had a strong connection to professional baseball. His second cousin, Joe Pignatano, became a longtime coach with the New York Mets.

That family tie turned out to matter later. When Falcone joined the Mets in 1979, he reunited with Pignatano at Shea Stadium.

His Italian heritage linked him to Brooklyn’s lively Italian-American community. That background helped him bond with other Italian-American players like Lee Mazzilli and manager Joe Torre during his Mets years.

His family always backed his baseball dreams. They encouraged his athletic growth from the start.

Childhood in Brooklyn

Falcone grew up while Brooklyn was still feeling the loss of the Dodgers. Even so, neighborhood baseball stayed strong.

He developed his pitching in the borough’s sandlot baseball scene. Those formative years really shaped him as a lefty.

Brooklyn’s competitive youth leagues pushed him to get better. The city churned out plenty of major leaguers back then—it was just that kind of place.

At six-foot-two, Falcone had a natural edge as a pitcher. That height, along with his left-handed delivery, made him a prospect teams wanted.

Education and Lafayette High School

Falcone attended Lafayette High School in Brooklyn. That’s the same school where Sandy Koufax played.

Lafayette boasted a strong baseball tradition, producing 21 future big leaguers. Notable alumni included Bob and Ken Aspromonte, Al Ferrara, Kevin Baez, and Luis Lopez. Even Fred Wilpon, who later owned the Mets, went there.

As a senior, Falcone caught the eyes of scouts. The Minnesota Twins picked him in the 13th round of the 1972 MLB draft.

Instead of signing, he chose to keep studying at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn. That move gave him more time to develop before going pro.

At Kingsborough, he kept working on his pitching. The San Francisco Giants drafted him in the first round in 1973, setting his pro career in motion.

Baseball Career Overview

Pete Falcone pitched for ten seasons in the majors from 1975 to 1984. He played for four National League teams and finished with 70 wins, 90 losses, a 4.07 ERA, and 865 strikeouts.

MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Falcone made his major league debut on April 13, 1975, in the second game of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. He’d been a non-roster invitee to spring training and earned his spot after starter Ron Bryant retired unexpectedly.

He made the most of his debut, holding the Braves to just two runs over eight innings and picking up the win in a 4-2 Giants victory.

Over his decade in the majors, Falcone played for:

• San Francisco Giants (1975)
• St. Louis Cardinals (1976-1978)
• New York Mets (1979-1982)
• Atlanta Braves (1983-1984)

He spent the most time with the Mets, pitching four seasons and going 26-37 with a 3.91 ERA in New York.

Position and Playing Style

Falcone pitched left-handed and also batted left. He stood out for holding opposing hitters to a .234 average with runners in scoring position—pretty clutch.

Early in his career, he showed real strikeout ability. On May 1, 1980, he tied a Major League record by striking out the first six batters of a game against the Phillies.

He worked as both a starter and reliever. In 1980 with the Mets, he pitched better from the bullpen, posting a 2.02 ERA in 14 relief outings, compared to a 5.25 ERA in 23 starts.

He racked up 865 strikeouts over his career.

Transition Through Teams

Falcone’s journey included some key trades. The Giants traded him to St. Louis for Gold Glove third baseman Ken Reitz in December 1975, trying to shore up their infield defense.

He struggled with consistency in St. Louis, so the Cardinals sent him to the Mets for Tom Grieve and Kim Seaman in December 1978. His start with the Mets was rough—he lost his first five decisions before finally winning with a shutout against Pittsburgh.

During his Mets stint, he shifted from mostly starting to more relief work and found more success in the bullpen.

After 1982, he signed with Atlanta as a free agent. The Braves were competitive in the NL West, finishing second both years Falcone was there.

Notable Performances and Records

Falcone had his share of standout games. His rookie season was impressive, and he put together some memorable performances throughout his career.

Rookie Achievements

Falcone made an immediate splash in 1975 with the Giants. He went 12-11 with a 4.17 ERA and struck out 131 batters.

His debut on April 13, 1975, was memorable—he earned the win, allowing just two runs over eight innings.

The highlight of his rookie year came in another doubleheader against Atlanta. Falcone held the Braves hitless through seven innings and struck out two in the eighth.

He got within four outs of a no-hitter, something a National League rookie hadn’t done since Burt Hooton in 1972. Rod Gilbreath broke up the no-hit bid with a single to center after a bench-clearing incident.

Memorable Games and Milestones

On May 1, 1980, pitching for the Mets, Falcone struck out the first six Phillies he faced. That tied a major league record.

Only four other pitchers had ever done that. Despite the great start, Falcone went seven innings, allowed two earned runs, struck out eight, and still took the loss.

On September 1, 1982, he threw a complete game against Houston. That win snapped the Mets’ 15-game losing streak, the longest in the majors that year.

He even hit his only career home run on September 29, 1981, off Mark Davis of the Phillies. Over his career, he drove in 21 runs as a pitcher.

League Rankings and Honors

Falcone often showed great control in big moments. He regularly ranked among league leaders at limiting hits with runners in scoring position.

In 1976 with St. Louis, he held opponents to a .222 batting average, fifth best in the National League. His career average against with runners in scoring position? An impressive .234.

During his Mets years, he posted strong numbers in pressure spots: .210 average in 1979, .220 in 1981, and .211 in 1982 with runners in scoring position.

He finished his career with 865 strikeouts and a 70-90 record, along with a 4.07 ERA in 325 games. His ability to handle high-leverage situations made him valuable, even on struggling teams.

Key Seasons and Career Highlights

Falcone’s ten-year career featured a big 1976 season with the Cardinals and contributions to four NL teams. His most memorable performance was striking out the first six batters he faced in a 1980 game against Philadelphia.

Best Season Analysis

His best year was 1976 with the Cardinals. Falcone went 12-16 with a 3.23 ERA over 212 innings.

That year, he earned an ERA+ of 110, meaning he pitched 10 percent better than league average. It was his only 200-inning season.

Even with a losing record, his ERA and innings proved his worth as a reliable starter. He could eat innings and anchor a rotation.

The 1976 season really established Falcone as a legitimate big-league starter. It showed he could handle the workload.

Impact with Each Team

San Francisco Giants (1975): Falcone debuted on April 13, 1975, and made an instant impact. As a rookie, he held the Braves hitless for 7.2 innings before Rod Gilbreath broke it up.

St. Louis Cardinals (1976-1978): He had his most productive years here. The Cardinals used him mainly as a starter, and he found his best success.

New York Mets (1979-1982): Falcone’s most famous moment came on May 1, 1980, when he struck out the first six Phillies. Only four other pitchers had ever done that.

Atlanta Braves (1983-1984): He finished up in Atlanta, where he reunited with his cousin Joe Pignatano, then a coach.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Pete Falcone announced his retirement in September 1984 after ten years in the majors. He cited burnout from the lifestyle and the grind of professional baseball.

After his playing days, he tried a few comebacks and stayed involved in the game through various leagues and efforts.

Decision to Retire in 1984

Falcone made the surprising call to retire at age 30 during his last season with the Braves in 1984. Even though the team was in the NL West race, Falcone felt worn out by baseball’s demands.

He explained his decision to The Atlanta Journal. “I’m just tired of baseball,” he said. “I’m tired of the life style, and I can’t see any reason to go on doing it.”

He admitted that while some parts of the game were enjoyable, the rest of the baseball lifestyle had become too much for him. The announcement caught many off guard, including Braves GM John Mullen.

Mullen shared his disappointment. “I hate to see a guy that young with that kind of arm retire,” Mullen said.

At the time, Falcone had a 70-90 career record, a 4.07 ERA, and 865 strikeouts.

Later Involvement in Baseball

Falcone didn’t stay retired for long. He tried out for a few comebacks in different leagues. In 1989, he went after another shot at Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

He started his comeback with the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes. Things just didn’t click. In only two appearances, Falcone faced thirteen batters and managed to get just four outs. The team sent him down to the Double-A San Antonio Missions after that.

San Antonio didn’t go much better. He ended up with a 3-4 record and a 5.65 ERA. Since he couldn’t make it back to the majors, Falcone joined the Orlando Juice in the Senior Professional Baseball Association.

The Senior Professional Baseball Association actually worked out better for him. He put up a strong 10-3 record with Orlando in 1989. In 1990, he moved on to the Sun City Rays.

Falcone then took his game overseas in 1990, heading to the Italian Baseball League to play for the Rimini Pirates. That stint turned out to be a big success. He went 18-4, threw eleven complete games, and had two shutouts. Falcone led the league with a 1.19 ERA in the regular season and helped his team reach the championship series. They lost, but it was a wild seven-game battle against Bob Galasso’s team.

Personal Life and Legacy

Pete Falcone’s impact on baseball goes beyond just his stats. His family’s ties to the sport and his influence on younger players have stuck around. Growing up in Brooklyn and playing a decade in the majors helped him build strong relationships in the baseball world that lasted after he retired in 1984.

Family Connections in Baseball

Pete Falcone’s baseball legacy lives on through his family. His son Joey Falcone followed him into professional baseball, which is pretty cool to see.

Brooklyn shaped a lot of Pete’s journey. He grew up in the same borough as Joe Torre, who later managed him. That shared background built a connection that mattered throughout his career.

When Falcone signed with the Atlanta Braves as a free agent in 1983, he reunited with Torre, now the team’s manager. That Brooklyn tie helped make the transition to his last big league team a bit smoother.

Falcone didn’t just rely on family connections. The friendships and bonds he made with teammates and coaches built a network that supported him during and after his playing days.

Influence on Future Generations

Falcone’s left-handed pitching style and his approach to the game left a mark on younger players watching him in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The way he switched between starting and relief roles showed a kind of versatility that’s even more valuable in today’s game.

He spent time with four different National League teams, working alongside a lot of coaches and teammates. Those years gave him plenty of chances to share what he knew with younger guys coming up.

Pitching in big cities like New York and St. Louis meant Falcone faced plenty of pressure. He learned from it and later passed on that experience to others dealing with the same kind of spotlight.

His rookie season with the Giants, when he went 12-11, taught him a lot about handling pressure and expectations early in a career. Those lessons stuck with him and, honestly, probably helped a few others along the way.

Recognition and Lasting Impact

Falcone never picked up any major individual awards, but you know what? He stuck around in big league rotations for almost a decade, and people in baseball noticed. In 1975, he jumped right into the majors, and even though John Montefusco grabbed most of the Rookie Pitcher of the Year attention, Falcone proved he belonged.

He put up his best statistical season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1976. That year, he went 12-16 and posted a 3.23 ERA over 212 innings. Not too flashy, but he really showed just how durable and reliable he could be as a starter.

Over his career, Falcone made 325 major league appearances and started 217 games. He spent nearly ten years grinding it out in pro baseball.

He bounced between four different teams, starting out in Brooklyn and leaving his mark on each city and clubhouse along the way.