Joey Amalfitano – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Joey Amalfitano played through a period of big changes in Major League Baseball. He debuted with the New York Giants in 1954 and finished his career as a Chicago Cub in 1967.

This utility infielder spent ten seasons with three different teams, hitting .244 and collecting 418 hits and nine home runs before he retired at 33 in June 1967. He experienced baseball’s shifting landscape firsthand, including the Giants’ move from New York to San Francisco, a year with the brand-new Houston Colt .45s, and four seasons with the Cubs.

What really makes Amalfitano’s story interesting? Honestly, it started in a pretty unusual way. As a “bonus baby,” he had to spend his first two pro seasons on the Giants’ bench, thanks to old league rules.

That weird beginning shaped his route through the minors and, eventually, back to the majors, where he proved himself as a steady second and third baseman.

Even after he hung up his cleats in 1967, Amalfitano didn’t step away from the game. He became a coach and mentor, sticking around for decades and teaching the basics to new generations.

His story shows that even a modest playing career can turn into a real legacy in coaching and development.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Joey Amalfitano was born January 23, 1934, in San Pedro, California. That’s where he started building the foundation for his baseball career.

He went through St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, then on to Loyola University of Los Angeles and the University of Southern California.

Family Background and Birthplace

John Joseph Amalfitano came into the world in San Pedro, California. It’s a coastal town with deep working-class roots and a strong link to the Port of Los Angeles.

Born in 1934, he grew up during the tough years of the Great Depression. Back then, baseball meant hope and entertainment for a lot of families.

San Pedro gave young athletes like Joey a rich baseball environment. Being close to Los Angeles meant he saw pro baseball up close and had plenty of chances for amateur games.

His family encouraged his early love of the sport. Living in Southern California gave him year-round access to fields and competition, which really helped him develop as a player.

St. Anthony High School Baseball

At St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, Amalfitano quickly stood out as a baseball talent. The school’s athletic program gave him structure and plenty of tough competition from other LA-area teams.

He honed his skills as an infielder there. Scouts paid attention to high school ball in Southern California, and Joey caught their eye.

That competitive atmosphere at St. Anthony helped prepare him for pro ball. His high school years basically set the stage for signing with the New York Giants in 1954.

Collegiate Experience at Loyola Marymount

After high school, Amalfitano headed to Loyola University of Los Angeles, which later became Loyola Marymount. He also spent time at the University of Southern California, gaining more experience on the diamond.

College gave him a chance to grow both as a student and an athlete. The tougher competition improved his defense and his swing.

Scouts kept tabs on him during college. Eventually, his performance led to a bonus contract with the New York Giants in 1954, launching his pro career at age 20.

Major League Debut and Bonus Baby Years

Joey Amalfitano’s pro baseball journey officially started in 1954 when he signed with the New York Giants as a 20-year-old bonus baby. That label meant he had to stay on the big-league roster for his first two years, which really limited his playing time and development.

Signing with the New York Giants

The Giants brought Joey on board in 1954 with a bonus of over $6,000. That amount triggered the bonus baby rule back then.

He wasn’t the only one—Paul Giel, a college football standout, joined him as a bonus baby that year.

Six grand was a big deal at the time. Amalfitano later joked that it was “tip money for these players today,” and, well, he’s not wrong.

Manager Leo Durocher had to juggle a roster of basically 23 instead of 25. He couldn’t count on Amalfitano or Giel to contribute at the big-league level.

The Bonus Baby Rule Explained

Signing for more than $6,000 forced players to stay on the major league roster. Teams couldn’t send them to the minors to develop.

This setup created headaches for everyone. Young guys like Joey had to learn on the fly, often without enough game action.

He once described himself as “basically a spectator in a uniform” those first two years. He spent more time watching than playing.

Managers like Durocher had to make do with fewer reliable players. Meanwhile, bonus babies missed out on the reps they needed.

Early Playing Experiences in the National League

Amalfitano made his MLB debut on May 2, 1954, at age 20 with the Giants. That first season? He went 0 for 5 with four strikeouts—rough start.

In 1955, he managed a .227 average in 26 games. Still, he mostly sat on the bench, stuck by the bonus baby rule.

Durocher didn’t use him much, but Joey learned a lot just by watching. He got a front-row seat to a championship team.

“Leo was tough on me and everyone else, but especially tough on me for some reason,” Amalfitano said. “He teased me constantly, but I think he was doing it to toughen me up.”

After 1955, the Giants finally sent him to the minors in 1956 so he could actually play and develop. He spent four years there before returning to the big leagues in 1960.

Professional Playing Career

Amalfitano played ten MLB seasons from 1954 to 1967, splitting time with the New York/San Francisco Giants, Houston Colt .45s, and Chicago Cubs.

He posted a .244 batting average, 9 home runs, and 123 RBI in 643 games.

Tenure with San Francisco Giants

Joey started out with the New York Giants in 1954. He signed a $40,000 bonus as an infielder, but barely saw the field those first two years.

In 1954, he didn’t get a hit in five at-bats, but he still earned a full World Series share as the Giants swept Cleveland.

After some seasoning in the minors, he returned to the majors with the San Francisco Giants in 1960. That year turned out to be his best as a player.

He hit .277 in 106 games in 1960, his career-best average. He played for the Giants again in 1961 and came back for another stint in 1963.

Year with Houston Colt .45s

The Houston Colt .45s picked Amalfitano in the 1961 expansion draft. That brought him to the new franchise for the 1962 season.

He only stayed in Houston for a year. With the expansion team, he got more regular playing time.

After that 1962 season, he went back to the Giants for 1963.

Chicago Cubs Playing Years

Amalfitano wrapped up his MLB career with the Chicago Cubs from 1964 to 1967. That four-year stretch was his longest with any team.

In 1967, he doubled as player and coach. His last game came on June 27, 1967, against the Phillies.

The Cubs gave him a bridge from playing to coaching. He joined their coaching staff right after he stopped playing, working under Leo Durocher.

He finished his playing days at 33, with a .234 career average and 9 home runs.

Notable Teammates, Coaches, and Moments

Joey Amalfitano’s decade in the majors put him alongside some real legends and under some fiery managers. In his rookie year with the Giants in 1954, he saw Willie Mays’ famous World Series catch up close, and later, he learned from Leo Durocher.

Influence of Willie Mays

As a rookie with the Giants in 1954, Amalfitano watched Willie Mays make that over-the-shoulder catch in Game 1 of the World Series. That play became an instant classic, and Joey saw it from the dugout.

He got to play alongside Mays, one of the game’s all-time greats. Mays’ athleticism and instincts left a big impression on Joey.

Key Moments with Mays:

• Saw the legendary World Series catch in 1954
• Shared the field with Mays in several seasons (1954-1955, 1960-1961, 1963)
• Watched how Mays handled pressure and big moments

Looking back, Amalfitano admitted he thought dazzling plays like that “probably happened all the time.” That rookie year really shaped his view of the game.

Mentorship by Leo Durocher

Leo Durocher managed Amalfitano with the Giants, and their relationship lasted decades. Durocher’s aggressive style and baseball smarts rubbed off on Joey.

After Joey’s last game on June 27, 1967, he jumped straight into coaching under Durocher with the Cubs. That move kicked off his long coaching career.

Durocher’s guidance helped Joey understand the game from a manager’s perspective. It set him up for future roles as a coach and even a manager.

Memorable Games and Highlights

Amalfitano’s career had a few standout moments beyond just famous teammates. He reached the World Series as a rookie in 1954, though he never made it back as a player.

As a utility infielder, he filled in at several spots over his ten seasons. He played for the Giants, Colt .45s, and Cubs from 1954 to 1967.

His last MLB game was June 27, 1967. Right after, he moved into coaching, which showed how much the Cubs valued his baseball mind.

“This was my first year. I thought this probably happened all the time,” he said about his rookie season, still a bit in awe of the moments he witnessed.

Transition to Coaching and Leadership

Amalfitano didn’t miss a beat when he stopped playing in 1967. He jumped right into coaching, starting a journey that lasted more than thirty years.

He took on coaching roles with several MLB teams and even managed the Chicago Cubs, where he faced the challenges of leading a struggling club.

Coaching Roles with MLB Teams

After he played his final game on June 27, 1967, Amalfitano jumped right onto the Chicago Cubs coaching staff. He worked for Leo Durocher, the same guy who’d managed him as a player.

His coaching journey took him to a bunch of different teams:

Coaching Timeline:

• Chicago Cubs (1967-1971, 1978-1979)
• San Francisco Giants (1972-1975)
• San Diego Padres (1976-1977)
• Cincinnati Reds (1982)
• Los Angeles Dodgers (1983-1998)

Amalfitano picked up all sorts of coaching philosophies and got to see a lot of different team cultures. He learned from a range of managers and started to develop his own style of working with players.

Over the years, people started to notice his focus on the fundamentals. Teams really liked how he worked with infielders and taught those basic, sometimes overlooked, baseball skills like bunting.

Managerial Career with Chicago Cubs

Amalfitano got his first shot at managing when Herman Franks resigned in September 1979. He stepped in as interim manager for the Chicago Cubs and finished the season with a 2-5 record.

The Cubs hired Preston Gómez as manager for 1980 but kept Amalfitano on as a coach. When the team struggled and went 38-52 through 90 games, they fired Gómez on July 25, 1980.

Amalfitano took over as the permanent manager and immediately faced a tough situation. The Cubs only managed 26 wins and lost 46 under him in 1980, ending up last in the National League East.

The 1981 season, shortened by a strike, didn’t get any easier. His team won 38 games and lost 65, again finishing at the bottom of the division.

Managerial Record:

• Overall: 66-116 (.363 winning percentage)
• 1979 (interim): 2-5
• 1980: 26-46
• 1981: 38-65

Success as Third Base Coach

Amalfitano really found his groove with the Los Angeles Dodgers as their third base coach from 1983 to 1998. That 16-year run kind of defined his coaching career.

He worked for Tommy Lasorda, helping guide the Dodgers through some of their best years. The big highlight? The Dodgers won the World Series in 1988.

During that 1988 World Series, Amalfitano was the first person to greet Kirk Gibson after that wild walk-off home run in Game 1. Honestly, it’s one of those baseball moments you never forget.

Players respected Amalfitano for his steady presence and deep knowledge of the game. He had a knack for reading situations from the third base coaching box.

He retired from the Dodgers in 1998, wrapping up 29 straight years of coaching in the majors. Later, he returned to the Giants as a special assistant in player development, focusing on teaching the basics to minor leaguers.

Player Development Legacy and Retirement

After his playing days, Joey Amalfitano moved into coaching and player development roles that stretched across almost five decades. He made a real impact with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers, shaping a ton of young players by stressing fundamentals and offering steady mentorship.

Player Development Roles with Giants

In 1999, Amalfitano rejoined the San Francisco Giants as a special assistant in player development. He spent most of his time in the farm system, working directly with minor leaguers on the basics.

He focused on teaching prospects the essential skills, especially bunting. That skill, in particular, became something of a trademark for him during his development years.

The Giants leaned on Amalfitano’s experience and baseball wisdom. He served in several roles, coming back to the organization six different times over 30 years.

In January 2021, just before his 87th birthday, the Giants announced his retirement. That moment capped an incredible 67-year run in professional baseball.

Contributions to the Los Angeles Dodgers

Amalfitano spent 16 seasons as third base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, from 1983 to 1998. That was his longest stretch in any single coaching role.

He worked under Tommy Lasorda during that time, and the Dodgers won the 1988 World Series championship with Amalfitano coaching third.

By the time he retired in 1998, he’d logged 29 consecutive years of coaching service in Major League Baseball. That’s a rare feat.

After he left the coaching box, he kept working with the Dodgers in their baseball operations department as a consultant. Eventually, he went back to the Giants for another round.

Retirement and Lasting Impact on Baseball

Amalfitano wrapped up his 67-year career in professional baseball when he retired in 2021. People around the league often called him one of the nicest and smartest folks you could meet in the game.

He always pushed for proper fundamentals instead of just chasing flashy moves. Young players in the Giants’ minor league system picked up a lot from his patient guidance and all that experience he brought.

Key Career Statistics:

• Playing career: 1954-1967
• Coaching career: 1967-1998
• Player development: 1999-2021
• Total years in baseball: 67

Baseball professionals often said he was one of the sport’s best storytellers. His mentorship and deep knowledge left a real mark on generations of players and coaches.