Kurt Bevacqua
Encyclopedia
Kurt Bevacqua is a former Major League Baseball
player. He was chosen in the 12th round of the 1967 draft by the Cincinnati Reds
and debuted in the big leagues in 1971 with the Cleveland Indians
, ultimately playing for six different teams during his career. His final appearance was in with the San Diego Padres
. Bevacqua was primarily a utility player
.
He hit what proved to be the game-winning home run in Game 2 of the 1984 World Series
, a three-run shot off Dan Petry
. Bevacqua played in all five games of the series, batting a team-high .412 and hitting 2 of the Padres' 3 home runs. The Padres lost to the Detroit Tigers
in five games, and to this date, the Game 2 win remains the franchise's lone World Series victory.
Bevacqua is also well known for being the subject of multiple tirades by former Los Angeles Dodgers
manager
Tommy Lasorda
. Bevacqua was also featured on an episode of FOX's King of the Hill. In the episode he was a ringer brought in to defeat Strickland Propane's softball team.
He also played for the Mayaguez Indians in the Puerto Rican winter league from 1977 to 1981.
Kurt was also the 1975 Topps Bubble Gum Blowing Champion.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. He was chosen in the 12th round of the 1967 draft by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and debuted in the big leagues in 1971 with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, ultimately playing for six different teams during his career. His final appearance was in with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. Bevacqua was primarily a utility player
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
.
He hit what proved to be the game-winning home run in Game 2 of the 1984 World Series
1984 World Series
The 1984 World Series began on October 9 and ended on October 14, 1984. The American League champion Detroit Tigers played against the National League champion San Diego Padres, with the Tigers winning the series four games to one....
, a three-run shot off Dan Petry
Dan Petry
Daniel Joseph Petry is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers , California Angels , Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox ....
. Bevacqua played in all five games of the series, batting a team-high .412 and hitting 2 of the Padres' 3 home runs. The Padres lost to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in five games, and to this date, the Game 2 win remains the franchise's lone World Series victory.
Bevacqua is also well known for being the subject of multiple tirades by former Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Tommy Lasorda
Tommy Lasorda
Thomas Charles Lasorda is a former Major League baseball player and manager. marked his sixth decade in one capacity or another with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the longest non-continuous tenure anyone has had with the team, edging Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully...
. Bevacqua was also featured on an episode of FOX's King of the Hill. In the episode he was a ringer brought in to defeat Strickland Propane's softball team.
He also played for the Mayaguez Indians in the Puerto Rican winter league from 1977 to 1981.
Kurt was also the 1975 Topps Bubble Gum Blowing Champion.