Bruce Springsteen Honors Late Friend and Baseball Star Joe DePugh

FREEHOLD, N.J. — Joe DePugh, whose illustrious baseball career inspired Bruce Springsteen’s iconic song “Glory Days,” has passed away. DePugh’s legacy as a talented athlete in his hometown of Freehold, New Jersey, was highlighted by Springsteen’s heartfelt tribute, which emphasized their friendship and DePugh’s impact on the community.

Springsteen took to Instagram to honor DePugh, sharing memories of their shared past on the diamond. “He was a good friend when I needed one,” Springsteen wrote, reflecting on their childhood camaraderie.

Though Springsteen would go on to achieve fame as a rock superstar, it was DePugh who shone as the standout player in their youth. “We used to call him ‘Saddie’ because he hardly ever played,” Springsteen recalled, humorously acknowledging his own lesser role during their formative baseball years.

The song “Glory Days” captures DePugh’s prowess on the field, encapsulated by the line, “He could throw that speedball by you, make you look like a fool.” This “speedball” was DePugh’s signature fastball, a term Springsteen noted he picked up from his grandparents. “I thought it was funny!” he exclaimed.

The inspiration for “Glory Days” stemmed from a chance encounter in 1973 outside the Headliner bar in Neptune City, where DePugh and Springsteen reminisced about their shared past over drinks. “All I kept talking about were the glory days,” DePugh said in a 2011 interview, expressing his delight at being included in Springsteen’s lyrics.

DePugh further elaborated on the song’s meaning, emphasizing the struggle many athletes face in letting go of their pasts. “It’s about living in the past and letting go, especially for jocks,” he noted, reflecting on his tendency to look back on his athletic glory.

After his days in baseball, DePugh worked as a substitute teacher and later became a contractor. He eventually relocated to Florida, where he lived in a condo in Lake Worth, not far from Springsteen’s home in Wellington. The friendship that began on the baseball fields of Freehold remained strong throughout their lives.

As spring arrives in New Jersey, Springsteen’s tribute serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of friendship and nostalgic memories. “Glory Days, my friend,” he concluded his post, ensuring that DePugh’s name will continue to resonate in the hearts of those who knew him.