Joe Pepitone, a three-time All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove winner for the Yankees at first base, passed away on March 13 at the age of 82. The Brooklyn native began his big league career with the Yankees in 1962, and he donned the pinstripes for eight seasons, contributing to three pennant winners and amassing 166 home runs.

¡°The Yankees are deeply saddened by the passing of former Yankee Joe Pepitone, whose playful and charismatic personality and on-field contributions made him a favorite of generations of Yankees fans even beyond his years with the team in the 1960s,¡± read a statement released by the organization. ¡°As a native New Yorker, he embraced everything about being a Yankee during both his playing career ¡­ and in the decades thereafter. You always knew when Joe walked into a room -- his immense pride in being a Yankee was always on display.¡±

Pepitone -- who famously brought a blow dryer into the home clubhouse to tend to his stylish hairdo -- was beloved by his family and his teammates. In his home borough, hundreds of people poured out onto the streets in celebration when he hit an eighth-inning grand slam in Game 6 of the 1964 World Series that forced a seventh game. Although the Yankees lost that Fall Classic to the St. Louis Cardinals, Pepitone¡¯s home run stands as one of the most famous in team history.

¡°That¡¯s one of my favorite memories,¡± Pepitone said in 2015 during a trip to the Prospect Heights neighborhood where he grew up for a Yankees Magazine photo shoot and interview. ¡°I can still picture the smile on Mickey Mantle¡¯s face as I was rounding the bases. He was so happy for me.¡±

After he parted ways with the Yankees, Pepitone played for the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves, finishing his 12-year career with 219 home runs and 721 RBIs. He would later return to the Yankees organization, doing paid corporate and suite appearances for more than two decades.

Pepitone also found his way into pop culture, including a number of memorable references on the television sitcom Seinfeld. One scene in particular saw Jerry¡¯s eccentric neighbor, Kramer, recount how his plunking of Pepitone during a fantasy camp game incited a bench-clearing brawl.

Pepitone endured plenty of ups and downs throughout his life and career, but in the end, his positive outlook, kind personality and Yankees pride were remembered most of all.

¡°I¡¯m glad I wore the pinstripes for eight seasons,¡± he said that 2015 day in Brooklyn. ¡°I love the guys I got to play alongside. Those memories have stayed with me forever. Sometimes I wish things could have been different, but I¡¯m OK with how things turned out. This is the happiest I¡¯ve ever been. It¡¯s hard not to be happy when you¡¯re back in the old neighborhood, even if it¡¯s only for a few hours.¡±