Bob Heffner, a native of Allentown and a former Major League Baseball pitcher, passed away.
He was eighty-six.
According to his obituary, Heffner, also known by his nickname Butch, passed away on June 25.
After graduating from Allentown High School, Heffner received a contract with the Boston Red Sox, where he was a standout athlete. He pitched for the Red Sox from 1963 to 1965, when he made his Major League debut.
After that, he played for the Cleveland Indians for a season in 1966 before joining the California Angels in 1968.
His brief but unforgettable tenure with the team was reported by Sports Illustrated.
He pitched to future Hall of Famers Carl Yastrzemski, Tony Oliva, Harmon Killebrew, Luis Aparicio, and Al Kaline during his seven games with the team that season, according to the article. In a game against the Chicago White Sox, he pitched three scoreless innings and only allowed one hit to Aparicio.
According to the website, Heffner returned to Allentown at the end of that month after leaving the Angels due to a family illness. According to the article, he informed the squad that he would not be returning by June 1.
He ended his career with an 11-21 record, a 4.51 ERA, and five saves, but he never appeared in another Major League game.
After his baseball career ended, Heffner retired in 2006 after more than 30 years of service with Allentown’s Banko Beverage Co.
According to his obituary, he passed away surrounded by his devoted family, which included Janet L. Heffner, his wife of 65 years.
According to his obituary, Butch will be remembered for his athleticism and upbeat personality. Through the lives he impacted and the memories he created with those who had the good fortune to know him, his legacy will endure.