A gifted athlete, he gave a clumsy teenage Bruce Springsteen his first nickname, Saddie. Years later, the Boss returned the favor, memorializing him in a song.

Joe DePugh of Freehold, who inspired the Springsteen hit “Glory Days” after a chance encounter at the Headliner of Neptune, has passed away. He was 75.

Joe DePugh, a high school friend of Bruce Springsteen forever immortalized in the 1984 hit 'Glory Days,' has died at age 75.

Joe DePugh apparently had quite the arm when he took the mound as a kid. His fastball would blow by hitters and, boy, make them look like fools. At least, that's how he's remembered by one of his friends and former teammates -- music legend Bruce Springsteen,

Bruce Springsteen has paid an emotional tribute following the death of his high school friend who inspired 'Glory Days' following a bar conversation in 1973.

Bruce Springsteen has paid tribute to Joe DePugh, the New Jersey pitcher who inspired his hit song “Glory Days,” following news of DePugh’s death this week at the age of 75.

Bruce Springsteen is paying tribute to his late classmate Joe DePugh, a former star pitcher from New Jersey who inspired Springsteen’s wistful hit “Glory Days.” The Boss, 75, shared an Instagram post on Sunday, March 30 remembering DePugh, who died of cancer in Florida at age 75, according to The Athletic.

DePugh and Springsteen ran into each other in 1973 outside a bar in Neptune City, N.J. Over a decade later, “Glory Days” hit the airwaves.