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Joe Sambito
Joe Sambito
Joe Sambito
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Joseph Charles Sambito (born June 28, 1952) is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Houston Astros (1976–1982, 1984), New York Mets (1985) and Boston Red Sox (1986–1987). He batted and threw left-handed.

Key Information

Early life

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He graduated from Bethpage High School in Bethpage, New York in 1970. He attended Adelphi University in Garden City, New York on scholarship to play both baseball, as a pitcher, and football, as a wide receiver.

Sambito was an NCAA baseball All-American in 1973. The same year, he was drafted in the 17th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Houston Astros. A fastball and slider specialist, Sambito was a starter in the minors, as he led the Southern League in strikeouts at Double-A Columbus in 1975. A year later he was promoted to the Astros, where he moved into a critical left-handed relief role.

Major league career

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Sambito was called to the majors in July of the 1976 season. He made his first pitching appearance on July 20 in relief of Tom Griffin while facing the Pittsburgh Pirates (Griffin had managed just one out on six batters of the first inning). Sambito pitched 42⁄3 innings while allowing three runs on seven hits with two walks.[1]

Sambito made appearances in twenty games that year, which included four starts and eight times called to finish a game.[2] It was during the season that he had his only complete game in the majors. On August 29, he beat the St. Louis Cardinals with a four-hit performance that also served as his only shutout. On September 24, he collected his first save.[3] He went 3–2 with 531⁄3 innings pitched on 26 strikeouts and fourteen walks. The following year he appeared in 54 games (with only one start) that resulted in seven saves in 89 innings pitched. He struck out 67 batters with 24 walks on a 5–5 record.

He made eleven saves the following year in 88 innings pitched while striking out a career high 96.

In 1979, he continued the trend with further improvement, collecting 22 saves (a career high) and a 1.78 ERA. From May 3 to July 14, Sambito pitched 402⁄3 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.[4] He was named to the National League All-Star team as a relief pitcher.

With runners on first and third in the bottom of the sixth inning, National League Manager, Tommy Lasorda, called on Sambito in relief for Gaylord Perry in the 1979 MLB All Star Game. Sambito was called to face pinch-hitter Reggie Jackson. Jackson grounded into a fielder's choice that resulted in Darrell Porter being thrown out at home. After an intentional walk to Roy Smalley, Sambito faced George Brett, forcing a short flyout to center field, preventing any runs from scoring.[5] Tommy Lasorda, Gaylord Perry, Reggie Jackson, and George Brett have all been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

He finished 1979 with a career high 911⁄3 innings pitched while striking out 83 batters with 23 walks.

In 1980, Sambito and the Astros reached the postseason. He appeared in 64 games for 901⁄3 total innings pitched. With a 2.19 ERA, he recorded 17 saves as he struck out 75 batters with 22 walks. He finished fifth in voting for the Cy Young Award.[6]

Sambito and the Astros reached the 1980 National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a chance to clinch the first ever National League Pennant for the Astros and a ticket to the World Series. Sambito appeared in three of the five games of the Series. The Phillies won the series 3-2 and proceeded to the 1980 World Series.

Sambito pitched a 1.84 ERA in 49 games in 1981, receiving 10 saves in 632⁄3 innings pitched while striking out 41 batters with 22 walks. Sambito pitched in two games of the 1981 National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers went on to win the series 3-2.

He started 1982 with four saves and a 0.71 ERA in 9 appearances in April, before it was discovered that bone chips had damaged the ligaments of his pitching elbow.[7] He missed the rest of the season and all of 1983 recuperating from Tommy John Surgery.

He appeared in 32 games for the 1984 team, pitching 472⁄3 innings as a middle-man pitcher with no save chances, which resulted in a 3.02 ERA.

He was released by the Astros on April 8, 1985 and signed as a free agent with the New York Mets on April 26. He was released on August 23 after pitching in 8 games.

Sambito made the Red Sox roster out of spring training in 1986. He appeared in 53 games for 442⁄3 innings while going a perfect 12-for-12 on save opportunities. He finished the regular season with a 4.84 ERA, 30 strikeouts, and 16 walks, as he helped the Red Sox reach the World Series. Arguably his most memorable save as a Red Sox came on June 17, 1986. Holding onto a one-run lead, Sambito retired Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield with the bases loaded to close out the game.[8]

Sambito appeared in three of the seven games of the 1986 American League Championship Series, which included a blown save in the ninth inning of Game 5, (Boston went on to win the game in the eleventh inning, and win the series three days later).[9] Sambito appeared in two games of the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets, which included Game 7. Boston lost the game and series, 8–5.[10] He retired in 1987 after posting a 2–6 record with 6.93 ERA. In an eleven season career, Sambito posted a 37–38 record with a 3.03 ERA and 84 saves in 461 games.

Post career

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Following his retirement, Sambito became a players agent and representative. Some of his clients have included Andy Pettitte, Ryan Klesko, Jeff D'Amico, John Rocker, Morgan Ensberg, and Paul Goldschmidt.

On July 28, 2013, Sambito was inducted into the inaugural class of the Bethpage High School Athletic Wall of Fame.[11]

Sambito currently resides in Irvine, California,[when?] where he was the pitching coach for Arnold O. Beckman High School from 2021-2023.

His son, Giovanni, played baseball at the United States Air Force Academy.

References

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Joe Sambito

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Joseph Charles Sambito (born June 28, 1952) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher who played eleven seasons in (MLB) from 1976 to 1987, primarily with the Houston Astros. A left-handed thrower known for his and , Sambito emerged as one of the National League's top relievers in the late , earning an selection in 1979 after posting a 1.77 () and 22 saves. He also appeared in the with the Red Sox and concluded his MLB career with a 3.03 , 84 saves, and 489 strikeouts over 629.1 in 461 games. Born in , New York, to Italian immigrant parents Anthony and Jennie Sambito, he grew up on and attended Bethpage High School before starring at , where he was named an All-American in 1973 with a 1.27 . Drafted by the Astros in the 17th round of the 1973 MLB Draft, Sambito made his big-league debut on July 20, 1976, and quickly established himself in the bullpen, appearing in 64 games with a 2.19 in 1980 while receiving votes in the National League balloting. His tenure with Houston spanned 1976–1982 and 1984, during which he formed a close friendship with starter , saving eight of Niekro's 21 wins in 1979 alone. An elbow injury in 1982 sidelined Sambito for most of 1983 and limited his effectiveness upon return, leading to trades to the in 1985 and the Red Sox in 1986, where he pitched in 64 games over two seasons and notably saved Tom Seaver's first win with Boston on July 1, 1986. After his MLB retirement, Sambito briefly played in the Senior Association in 1989 and later transitioned into a career as a player agent, representing clients for over two decades with the Hendricks Sports agency before joining Relativity Baseball in 2015; as of 2025, he continues as a player agent.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Joseph Charles Sambito was born on June 28, 1952, in , New York, to and Jennie (Olivieri) Sambito, becoming the first of their three children. His parents, both from families with deep Italian roots—all four of Sambito's grandparents having immigrated from and settled in the borough—raised him in a working-class household where Anthony worked as a foreman in the . This environment emphasized resilience and community ties, with serving as a vital outlet for and social bonding amid the demands of blue-collar life. Sambito's early exposure to baseball came primarily through his father's influence, who introduced him to the game during his formative years in Brooklyn's vibrant neighborhoods. At age seven, in 1959, he attended his first major league game at , a vivid experience that contrasted sharply with the black-and-white broadcasts he watched at home and ignited his passion for the sport. He was also captivated by the 1958 between the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Braves, further embedding in his daily life through casual play and family discussions. Growing up in a close-knit Italian-American in fostered Sambito's competitive spirit, where neighborhood games and familial encouragement provided a foundation for his athletic pursuits. His younger sister Annette (born 1954) and brother (born 1957) shared in this supportive home dynamic, which later transitioned into organized athletics during his high school years.

High school and college career

Sambito attended Bethpage High School in , where he distinguished himself as an All-County player during his senior year in 1970, drawing attention from scouts who attended his games. He also excelled in football as an all-division player, showcasing his athletic versatility. In recognition of these accomplishments, Sambito was inducted into the Bethpage High School Athletic Walk of Fame in 2013. At on , Sambito pitched for the Panthers baseball team, contributing significantly to the program's success. In 1972, he helped lead the team to a 20-7-1 record. His standout senior season in 1973 saw him post a 1.27 ERA over the year—ranking as the third-lowest single-season mark in school history at the time—and record two shutouts, guiding the Panthers to a 19-7 finish. That year, Sambito earned All-American honors as a first-team selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association, marking the first such accolade for an Adelphi baseball player. Following his college career, Sambito was selected by the Astros in the 17th round of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft, 404th overall, out of .

Professional playing career

Minor league career

Joe Sambito began his professional career after being selected by the Astros in the 17th round of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft out of . He reported to the rookie-level Covington Astros of the , where he made 11 appearances (6 starts), posting a 4-2 record with a 1.47 over 55 innings, including 57 strikeouts and two shutouts. A brief appearance at Double-A Columbus followed, but he struggled in 2 innings with an 18.00 . In 1974, Sambito advanced to Class-A Cedar Rapids of the , an Astros affiliate, where he excelled as a starter with an 11-8 record, 3.00 , 182 strikeouts, and 12 complete games over 156 innings. However, early in the season, arm soreness—later identified as tendinitis—sidelined him for five weeks after a poor outing at Double-A Columbus, delaying his progression and forcing a to Cedar Rapids for rehabilitation. Sambito returned to Double-A Columbus of the Southern League in 1975, anchoring the rotation with a 12-9 record, 3.01 ERA, and a league-leading 140 strikeouts in 209 innings across 30 starts (10 complete). Lingering shoulder discomfort from tendinitis resurfaced late in the year during instructional league play, requiring treatments that resolved the issue but highlighted ongoing arm challenges. By 1976, Sambito dominated at Double-A Columbus again, going 8-2 with a 1.80 and 61 strikeouts in 100 over 17 starts. He earned a midseason promotion to Triple-A Memphis of the , where he posted a 3-0 record but a 6.33 in five appearances (27 ), allowing 37 hits amid adjustment difficulties. This stint paved the way for his major league call-up to the Astros after the All-Star break.

Major league career with the Houston Astros

Joe Sambito made his debut with the Astros on , 1976, against the at the , where he pitched in relief and allowed one run in two innings. In his season, he appeared in 20 games, including four starts, compiling a 3-2 record with a 3.54 over 53.1 . Sambito's early performance showed promise as a left-handed reliever, transitioning from his experience to contribute to the Astros' . By 1977, Sambito had established himself as a key closer for the Astros, posting a 5-5 record with a 2.33 and seven saves in 54 appearances. His role solidified further in 1978, when he recorded a 4-9 mark, a 3.07 , and a career-high 11 saves across 62 games, emerging as a reliable late-inning option for manager . These seasons marked Sambito's growth into a primary setup man and closer, helping stabilize the Astros' pitching staff during competitive National League West races. Sambito reached his peak with the Astros from 1979 to 1981, anchoring the during the team's most successful stretch. In 1979, he achieved an 8-7 record, a league-leading 1.77 ERA among relievers, and 22 saves in 63 games, earning his only selection and setting a franchise record with 40 consecutive scoreless over 27 appearances. The following year, 1980, Sambito went 8-4 with a 2.19 ERA and 17 saves in 64 outings, finishing fifth in National League voting while contributing to the Astros' first postseason appearance, including relief work in their victory in Game 2 against the Phillies. In the strike-shortened 1981 season, he maintained excellence with a 5-5 record, 1.84 ERA, and 10 saves in 49 games, and secured a win in Game 2 of the against the . Sambito began the 1982 season strongly, going 0-0 with a 0.71 ERA and four saves in nine appearances before suffering a severe elbow injury in June, which included a ruptured and floating chip, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. He underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 1983 season due to recovery and subsequent procedures to remove scar tissue. Sambito returned to the Astros in 1984, appearing in 32 games with a 0-0 record, 3.02 over 47.2 innings, though without recording a save as his velocity had diminished post-surgery. Over his Astros tenure from 1976 to 1982 and 1984, Sambito amassed a 33-32 record, 2.37 , 72 saves, and 353 appearances, cementing his legacy as one of the franchise's premier relievers.

Later major league teams and retirement

After being released by the Houston Astros in April 1985, Sambito signed as a with the on April 26, 1985. In eight relief appearances that season, he posted a 0-0 record with a 12.66 over 10⅔ , allowing 15 hits and eight walks while striking out just three batters. His struggles led to a to Triple-A Tidewater in June, and the Mets granted his release request on August 23, 1985. Sambito signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox as a non-roster invitee on January 31, 1986, drawing on his earlier success as a reliable left-handed reliever with the Astros. He earned a spot in the bullpen and appeared in 53 games, recording a 2-0 mark with a 4.84 and 12 saves in 12 opportunities over 44⅔ innings. The Red Sox reached the postseason, where Sambito pitched in five games combined between the ALCS against the California Angels (three appearances, ⅔ inning, 13.50 ) and the against the (two appearances, 0 innings). Returning to for the 1987 season, Sambito appeared in 47 games but experienced a sharp decline, finishing with a 2-6 record and 6.93 ERA in 37⅔ innings, during which he allowed eight home runs. At age 35, the wear from prior arm injuries and the rigors of pitching contributed to his diminished effectiveness. Following the season, persistent issues led Sambito to retire from . Sambito signed a minor-league contract with the Astros for 1988 but retired in July due to ongoing and hand pain when not promoted to the majors. Across his later stints with the Mets and Red Sox from 1985 to 1987, Sambito compiled a 4-6 record with a 5.78 ERA and 12 saves in 108 relief outings.

Pitching style and achievements

Pitching repertoire

Joe Sambito, a left-handed reliever, primarily relied on a fastball-slider combination throughout much of his career, with the slider serving as his signature pitch for generating strikeouts. His fastball was thrown from a low three-quarter arm slot, providing deception that complemented his control-oriented approach, while the slider broke sharply to induce weak contact from right-handed batters. This duo allowed him to excel as a setup man and closer, maintaining a career WHIP of 1.20 across 629 innings pitched and accumulating 489 strikeouts by emphasizing precision over overpowering velocity. Early in his tenure with the Houston Astros, Sambito leaned heavily on the - mix to navigate high-leverage situations, using the 's late movement to set up hitters for swings and misses. Following a 1982 elbow injury that required surgery, he adapted by refining his to prioritize groundball induction over pure strikeout power, compensating for a diminished as he returned in 1984. Sambito's composure in pressure-packed "hairy situations" was a hallmark of his style, as highlighted in a 1982 profile that praised his unflappable delivery amid chaos. This mental edge proved vital in key moments, such as his appearances in the for the Astros.

Career highlights and awards

Sambito was selected to the National League team in 1979, where he pitched a scoreless in during the midsummer classic at the in . That season, he also finished 21st in National League voting, recognizing his contributions as a key reliever for the Astros. In 1980, Sambito placed seventh in National League Cy Young Award voting after leading the league with 64 appearances and posting a 2.19 over 90⅓ . During his tenure with the Houston Astros, he established a franchise record with 40 consecutive scoreless across 27 appearances in 1979, a streak that underscored his reliability in high-pressure situations. At the peak of his career, Sambito's 72 saves with the Astros made him the franchise's all-time leader in that category, a mark he held until later surpassed by subsequent relievers. Sambito participated in three postseasons, beginning with the against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he appeared in three games, going 0-1 with a 4.91 over 3⅔ . In the versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, he earned a 1-0 record despite a 16.20 in two appearances totaling 1⅔ . His final postseason outing came in the with the Boston Red Sox against the , appearing in five games without a decision, allowing one run in 1 for a 9.00 . Over 11 major league seasons, Sambito compiled a 37-38 win-loss record with a 3.03 , 84 saves, and 274 games finished across 461 appearances, primarily as a left-handed reliever. His effective was instrumental in securing many of those late-inning saves, contributing to his reputation as a dependable closer during the late and early .

Later life

Personal life and family

Sambito married Denise Durocher in February 1976, shortly before his major league debut with the Astros. He became stepfather to her four-year-old son, Michael Lathrop, from a previous . The couple had a daughter, Marisa, born in 1979 during Sambito's early years with the Astros. Their ended in divorce in 1997. Following the divorce, Sambito met , an attorney, and they married, settling in . Together, they have two children: a daughter, Sophia, and a son, Giovanni Antonio. His son, Giovanni Antonio "Gio" Sambito, is a player at the as of 2025. Sambito has emphasized a family-oriented life, drawing on his Italian heritage—his grandparents immigrated from to —and maintaining close ties to his roots despite years of MLB travel. An avid golfer, he has described post-retirement days filled with the sport, alongside community involvement reflecting his family values. During injury recoveries, such as his 1982 elbow surgery, family provided essential support.

Post-playing career and honors

Following his retirement from professional baseball in 1987, Sambito transitioned into sports management as a players' agent and counselor with Hendricks Sports Management, where he worked for over two decades representing players. His role involved negotiating contracts and providing guidance, drawing on his own experiences as a player to support clients such as , , Jeff D'Amico, and Morgan Ensberg. In 2015, Sambito joined Relativity Baseball. The agency rebranded as Independent Sports & Entertainment (ISE) in 2016. Sambito worked there until early 2018, when he was terminated and filed a against ISE, ISE Baseball, and chairman Ron Burkle alleging wrongful termination, age discrimination, and fraud. As of 2018, he resided in . In recognition of his athletic contributions, Sambito was inducted into the inaugural class of the Bethpage High School Athletic Wall of Fame on July 28, 2013. This honor celebrated his standout performance as an All-County player and All-Division during his time at the school in the late 1960s.
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