Dan Pinto

1926 - 2021

Dan Pinto
September 21, 1926 - January 18, 2021
Resident of Hercules, CA
Dan Pinto was born September 21, 1926 in Richmond and died in Richmond on January 18, 2021. He served as a paratrooper during the Japanese Occupation at the end of World War II and played on Army baseball teams on Hokkaido and Honshu.
Upon returning to the USA, he played minor league baseball throughout the Southwest. In a book about the history of the West Texas Baseball League we found the following passage: "On August 6, 1950 against Abilene, Pinto drew a walk and promptly stole second, third and home to write his name in the record book where it stands to this day for 'most stolen bases in one inning.'" That same year he scored 93 runs in only 392 at bats. The author also mentioned that Dan was known as, "one of the class gentlemen around the circuit."
Never getting a call to the majors, he returned to the East Bay and spent the following decades building a family with his new wife, the former Fern Butler. They were married until Fern's death in 2005.
Many will remember Dan from his years running the Pinto Brothers' Xmas Tree Lot with his brother Dave. Dan also served as a fireman for the city of Alameda and eventually joined his brother Jack managing El Cerrito Steel Products on Kearny Street.
He will be missed by many who knew him as one of the "nicest men in the world," including friends he made playing in the Silver Circle at the Franklin Canyon Golf Course.
Dan is survived by sons, Craig and Steve Pinto, grandchildren, Mary, Jack and Julian, as well as daughter in law, Margaret Carter. He was also loved by many nieces and nephews, and by his best friend, Bob Webb.


View the online memorial for Dan Pinto