Rutgers Remembers Harding "Pete" Peterson
Apr 22 | Baseball
Rutgers Hall of Famer passed away April 16
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – A member of the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame and catcher for the 1950 Scarlet Knight team that appeared in the College World Series, Harding "Pete" Peterson passed away Tuesday, April 16 at the age of 89. The Perth Amboy native played in the major leagues and later served as the general manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates, helping the team to the 1979 World Series title.
Peterson was an All-America selection for Rutgers baseball, earning the honors on the 1950 RU team that finished third in the College World Series. Known for his defensive ability, he was part of a triple play in the CWS game versus Washington State and made just two errors in 27 games that season as the catcher. He hit .276 (27-98) with 21 runs, 23 RBIs (second on team), four doubles and two triples. Peterson's best season as a collegian was in 1948, when he hit for a .312 average. In his three varsity seasons, Peterson led his teams to a combined 57-16-2 record.
Peterson was inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997.
Peterson signed with the Pirates after the 1950 season and reached the major leagues in 1955, playing in 66 games over four seasons. He interrupted his career on the diamond to serve in the Korean War for two years.
After a broken arm on a collision at home plate ended his playing days, Peterson spent over 30 more seasons in the Pirates' organization, including as a scout, a manager in the minor leagues and then the minor league director. He played a role in developing many of the players who won the 1971 World Series. Peterson was elevated to vice president for personnel in 1976 and executive vice president in 1979. His dealings helped bring the "We Are Family" Pirates another title in 1979.
Peterson served as general manager until 1985 and later served as co-general manager for the New York Yankees in 1990. He also worked as a scout for the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Diego Padres. He retired to Palm Harbor, Fla.
Peterson was born October 17, 1929.
A church service will be held Friday, April 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church (183 Rector St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861).
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@RutgersBaseball), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball) and Facebook (/BaseballRU). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
Peterson was an All-America selection for Rutgers baseball, earning the honors on the 1950 RU team that finished third in the College World Series. Known for his defensive ability, he was part of a triple play in the CWS game versus Washington State and made just two errors in 27 games that season as the catcher. He hit .276 (27-98) with 21 runs, 23 RBIs (second on team), four doubles and two triples. Peterson's best season as a collegian was in 1948, when he hit for a .312 average. In his three varsity seasons, Peterson led his teams to a combined 57-16-2 record.
Peterson was inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997.
Peterson signed with the Pirates after the 1950 season and reached the major leagues in 1955, playing in 66 games over four seasons. He interrupted his career on the diamond to serve in the Korean War for two years.
After a broken arm on a collision at home plate ended his playing days, Peterson spent over 30 more seasons in the Pirates' organization, including as a scout, a manager in the minor leagues and then the minor league director. He played a role in developing many of the players who won the 1971 World Series. Peterson was elevated to vice president for personnel in 1976 and executive vice president in 1979. His dealings helped bring the "We Are Family" Pirates another title in 1979.
Peterson served as general manager until 1985 and later served as co-general manager for the New York Yankees in 1990. He also worked as a scout for the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Diego Padres. He retired to Palm Harbor, Fla.
Peterson was born October 17, 1929.
A church service will be held Friday, April 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church (183 Rector St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861).
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@RutgersBaseball), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball) and Facebook (/BaseballRU). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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