1976 Topps #213 - Dave Heaverlo

• Dave Heaverlo pitched for three teams from 1975-1981. He was probably the first player to shave his head (at least the first one I knew about) and he had a reputation as a prankster. Dave kept his minor league number 60 even when became established in the majors. He made 356 career appearances without making a start.

• Heaverlo started in the San Francisco Giants organization in 1973. After pitching in over 100 games in 1973 and 1974 and posting ERAs under 3.00, he debuted for the Giants in 1975. Dave had a good rookie season as a middle reliever. He was 3-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 64 innings. In 1976 Heaverlo slipped to 4-4 with a 4.44 ERA in 75 innings. He bounced back in 1977 to go 5-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 98.2 innings.

• Before the 1978 season Heaverlo was part of the huge trade that brought Vida Blue to the Giants. Dave got more work in Oakland. He saved 10 games and was 3-6 with a 3.25 ERA in 130 innings. Dave was 4-11 with a 4.20 ERA and nine saves in 1979 and after the season was waived by the A's.

• The Seattle Mariners picked Dave up in 1980. In his only season as a Mariner he was 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA. Heaverlo didn't make the Mariners club in 1981 and was released in late March. Here is an article about Dave's release from the Mariners. The Oakland A's signed him and he was assigned to AAA Tacoma. Dave pitched in only six games for the A's in 1981. He attempted comebacks with Tacoma in 1982 and 1983 but he never made it back to the majors.

• Heaverlo is now the pitching coach for the Big Bend Vikings (a community college in Moses Lake, WA) and he hosts a radio talk show.

• Here is a Seattle Times article about Dave's son Jeff, who pitched in the minors for a while and had problems with injuries and staying sober.