Kurt Bevacqua

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#8B4513
bgcolor2=#8B4513
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Kurt Bevacqua


position=First Baseman/Third Baseman/Outfielder
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1947|1|23
debutdate=June 22
debutyear=1971
debutteam=Cleveland Indians
finaldate=October 6
finalyear=1985
finalteam=San Diego Padres
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.236
stat2label=Hits
stat2value=499
stat3label=RBI
stat3value=275
teams=
*Cleveland Indians (by|1971-by|1972)
*Kansas City Royals (by|1973, by|1974)
*Pittsburgh Pirates (by|1974, by|1980-by|1981)
*Milwaukee Brewers (by|1975-by|1976)
*Texas Rangers (by|1977-by|1978)
*San Diego Padres (by|1979-by|1980, by|1982-by|1985)
highlights=

Kurt Bevacqua (pronEng|bɨˈvɑkwə; born January 23, 1947 in Miami Beach, Florida) 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 by|1985 with the San Diego Padres. Bevacqua was primarily a utility player during his career.

He is arguably best known for hitting what proved to be the game-winning home run in Game 2 of the 1984 World Series, a three-run shot off Dan Petry. While rounding the bases during the home run, some contend that he missed second base, and that therefore the home run should not have counted. 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 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 the 1975 Joe Garagiola/Bazooka Bubble Gum Blowing Champ.

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