Joseph Lee "Joe" Puleo III

Year Inducted: 2009
Nominated By: Christina Jensen (daughter) 
Sports Competed In: Baseball
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete

Before High School:
Joe was an pitcher for four seasons (1948-51) in the Old Timers League... He was named the most outstanding baseball player by the Old Timers Baseball Association in 1951 and was awarded an all expenses trip to the World Series between New York Yankees & NY Giants.

High School:
Attended Pueblo Catholic H.S., graduating in 1955... Played football (tackle) and baseball (pitcher) four years each for the Shamrocks from 1951-55...Puleo III won 32 of 35 game he pitched at Pueblo Catholic H.S., and recorded three no-run, no-hit games.

College:
Went to Colorado University and played baseball for four years as a pitcher before graduating 1959.

Achievements:
● Signed a professional baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles...He was in AAA baseball when his professional career was cut short because of an injury to his pitching arm.
● Selected by The Pueblo Chieftain as one of the best of the best baseball players (2006).
● Played for Fox City, WA. Orioles scouts considered Joe potential major pitcher (1961)..
● Played for Aberdeen, SD, pitching 88 innings allowing only 29 runs. His ERA was 2.65 (1960).
● Played for Yankton, SD and posted a 2.3 ERA (1959).
● Selected as Top Pitcher for Colorado University. Considered as the Best Pitcher in the Big Eight Conference (1958-59).
● Was selected as the outstanding pitcher for Colorado University (1956-57).
● Was named Top Pitcher for Colorado University (1956).
● Baseball member of the city champion team with a record of 15 wins and 0 losses - The Colorado Parochial Schools did not have a state baseball playoff (1955)
● Named to the Southern Colorado All-Parochial league tackle (1955).
● Received the outstanding Shamrock athlete award (1955).
● Invited to a baseball camp by the Denver Bears. Was considered the finest pitcher in the parochial league (1954).

Occupation:
Puleo III was an entrepreneur - Part Owner of Central Motors - Pueblo.

Personal:
Lived in Pueblo... Passed away on June 22, 1984.