Neal Heaton Essentials

Positions:
Bats: L Throws: L
Height: 73 Weight: 197
Born: Thursday, March 03, 1960 in South Ozone Park, NY USA
Died: in ,
Debut: 9/3/1982
Last Game: 6/26/1993
Full Name: Neal Heaton

Neal Heaton, pitcher for the 1989-91 Pirates. He was a second round draft pick of the Indians in 1981, who made his major league debut just one season later. By 1983 he was already an 11-game winner in the majors, who not only threw three shutouts, but also saved seven games. He moved into the starting role full-time the next two seasons and did not pitch well, but was also hurt by some poor teams behind him. He posted a 21-32 record between 1984-85 with an ERA over 5.00 in 67 starts. Heaton was traded to the Twins and then the Expos, who kept him until late spring 1989 when he was shipped to the Pirates in exchange for 24-year-old pitcher Brett Gideon. Heaton started 18 games for the Pirates in 1989 and pitched another 24 games out of the bullpen. He had a career best 3.05 ERA in 147.1 innings pitched. In 1990 he went 12-9, 3.45 in 146 IP, helping the Pirates to their first division title since 1979. He also made his only All-Star appearance that season. In 1991 he pitched out of the bullpen all year, posting a 4.33 ERA in 42 games. In 1992 the Pirates traded him during spring training to the Royals in exchange for Kirk Gibson. Heaton played in the majors until July 1993. In 382 career appearances, he won 80 games and had a 4.37 ERA.