Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame
Peterson, the backstop for the 1950 Rutgers College World Series team, was a Second Team All-America selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association and a First Team District II choice that year as well. Known for his defensive ability, Peterson made just two errors in 27 games in 1950 while hitting .276 (27-98), with 21 runs, 23 RBI (2nd on team), 4 doubles and 2 triples. His best season as a collegian was in 1948, when he hit for a .312 average (10-32) in 1948 with 7 RBI and three doubles. In his three varsity seasons, Peterson led his teams to a combined 57-16-2 record, highlighted by a third-place finish in the 1950 College World Series. Following his career at Rutgers, Peterson signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1950 but had his career interrupted by Korean War service. Following the war, Peterson played four years with the Pirates until a broken arm suffered in a home plate collision hastened his retirement. A well-respected baseball man, Peterson spent over 30 years with the Pirates, including stints as a player (4 years), manager (9 years), farm director and scouting director. He was named VP for Player Personnel in 1976 and named Executive VP in 1979, and is possibly best known for the trade of C Manny Sanguillen to the Oakland A's for manager Chuck Tanner in 1976. His dealings helped bring the Pirates their World Series Championship in 1979. Peterson also spent two years with the Yankees, including one as a co-General Manager in 1990; he also spent two years with San Diego as a scout.
