‘84 World Series Star Bevacqua, 38, Given His Release by Padres
Veteran pinch-hitter Kurt Bevacqua, best remembered for his trot around the bases after hitting a home run in the San Diego Padres’ only victory in the 1984 World Series, was given his outright release by the team Monday.
Bevacqua, 38, began his professional baseball career in 1967 and played four years in the minor leagues before joining the Cleveland Indians. Over the next 14 years, he saw action with five other major league clubs, spending the last four seasons in San Diego.
In 1984, the year the Padres won their first National League title, Bevacqua was the hitting star for the Padres in their World Series loss to the Detroit Tigers. He batted .412 and hit a three-run homer in Game 2 to give San Diego its only win. As he rounded the bases, Bevacqua blew kisses to the crowd and his wife, who was in the stands.
In 1985, Bevacqua hit .239 with three homers and 25 runs batted in, but batted .185 as a pinch-hitter.
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