Bob Heffner

Robert Frederic Heffner (September 13, 1938 – June 25, 2025), nicknamed "Butch", was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher with the Boston Red Sox (1963–1965), Cleveland Indians (1966), and California Angels (1968). He stood 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall and weighed 200 pounds (91 kg), in his playing days.

Bob Heffner
Heffner in 1961
Pitcher
Born: (1938-09-13)September 13, 1938 Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: June 25, 2025(2025-06-25) (aged 86) Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 19, 1963, for the Boston Red Sox
Last MLB appearance
May 20, 1968, for the California Angels
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	11–21
Earned run average	4.51
Strikeouts	241
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Boston Red Sox (1963–1965) Cleveland Indians (1966) California Angels (1968)

Background

Heffner was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He attended Allentown High School, now William Allen High School, where he graduated in 1957.

Heffner died on June 25, 2025, at the age of 86.^[1]

Major League Baseball

On June 12, 1957, Heffner was signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent right out of high school.

Throughout his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Heffner was used both as starter and reliever. His most productive season came in 1964 with the Red Sox, when he posted career-highs in wins (seven, including a shutout), strikeouts (112), saves (six), games (55), and innings (158+2⁄3).

Heffner's five-season MLB career totals include an 11–21 W–L record, a 4.51 ERA, and six saves. Overall, he appeared in 114 games, 31 of which were as a starter.