He threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall, and weighed 191 pounds (87 kg).

Born in St. Louis, Missouri to Italian immigrants, he grew up in San Francisco, California and attended Santa Clara University.

After World War II service in the United States Army, he became a baseball player with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League, who traded him to the Pirates in June 1949.

Restelli achieved a measure of fame with the Pirates, when he hit a record seven home runs in his first ten games.

Restelli is tied with Trevor Story and Trey Mancini for most home runs through a players first 12 career games.