"I can say very, very confidently that if I never pitch again in the big leagues, without a doubt, this is the greatest month in my life. How can I regret anything? It's been a dream come true." - Joe Ausanio in the New York Times (Mike Wise, 08/16/1994, 'The Oldest Rookie; Joe Ausanio Savored His One-Month Walk in the Sun')

Joseph John Ausanio (born December 9, 1965 in Kingston, NY) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who appeared in 41 games for the New York Yankees in 1994 and 1995.

Ausanio was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 11th round (278th overall) in the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft. In November 1992, he was selected off waivers by the Montreal Expos and in December 1993, he was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1993 minor league draft. Joe played his first Major League game on July 14, 1994 for the Yankees, debuting strongly just days before the strike cancelled the season. He played for the Yankees until 1995. He was signed as a free agent by the New York Mets in November 1995 and finished his career with three appearances with the Colorado Rockies' Triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in 1997.

After retiring as a player, Joe was a color commentator for the Hudson Valley Renegades (Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays) in 1998, served as the Director of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Rays short season class-A affiliate Hudson Valley Renegades in the New York Penn League, was hired by the Yankees to get players ready to hit a knuckleball, and as Head Softball Coach at Marist College.

Joe has also made several appearances in a professional wrestling ring, competing in four matches with the New York independent promotion Northeast Wrestling from 2012 to 2015. On September 22, 2012, in the main event of NEW's Wrestling Under The Stars in Fishkill, NY, Ausanio teamed with Goldust to defeat Romeo Roselli and Luke Robinson.

(excerpted from Baseball Almanac, BR Bullpen & Wikipedia)