Joe Torre

Joe Torre was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 18, 1940. He was the youngest of two girls and three boys born to a New York City police department detective and his wife Margaret. Torre's older brothers, Rocco and Frank became professional baseball players before Torre did, although Rocco's baseball career was cut short when he joined the Navy. Frank Torre became a major league baseball player in 1956. Torre himself began his pro baseball career at the age of 20 as a player for the Milwaukee Braves in 1960. For this one season, Torre and his older brother Frank played on the same team.

Torre's career got off to a great start; on his very first time at bat, he hit a single. The following season, he was named the number two rookie of the year, second only to Billy Williams. By 1963, Torre was playing as both catcher and at first base, and that year was named to the All-Star Team—a distinction that would be repeated for the next four seasons. In 1964, Torre was the leading fielder among National League catchers, and in 1965, he won the catchers Golden Glove award. Also, in that year's All-Star Game, he hit a two-run homer that assured the National League's victory over the American League in a score of 6-5.

In 1966, Torre went with the Braves when they moved to Atlanta. That year was one of his best; he hit 36 home runs, a feat he would never repeat. His batting average that year was .315, and he batted in 101 runs. Torre's pace was slowed in 1968 when he broke a broken cheekbone. He moved to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969 when he was traded for Orlando Cepeda. His first position with the Cardinals was at first base, and he again became a catcher in 1970, but moved to third base

Joe Torre

that same season. He again hit his stride in 1971. In that year, he led the National League in batting and was named the league's Most Valuable Player.