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Joey Falcone’s incredible path: Iraq to Ivy League to Yankees

Odds are, the rookie-level Gulf Coast League has never seen a prospect like Joey Falcone.

He’s 28 years old, served three tours of service in Iraq and Afghanistan as a medic for the Marines and went undrafted – but the former Columbia University star was given a shot by the Yankees following a breakout senior season in which he led the Lions to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year and to within one win of the Super Regionals.

Falcone, the son of former Mets pitcher Pete Falcone, made his professional debut Wednesday with the Single-A GCL Yankees.