Bob Heise

From SoSH

Bob Heise was a versatile reserve player on the 1975-76 Sox teams. He wore uniform number 12.

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Heise's Moments in the Sun 3 Trivia 4 Transactions 5 External Links

Overall Career

A career utility infielder, Bobby Heise played all four infield positions for the 1975 AL pennant-winning Red Sox. He was used as a defensive replacement for 2B Doug Griffin early in the season prior to the acquisition of Denny Doyle. His primary role was to spell the aging Rico Petrocelli at 3B. He made his only appearance of the season at 1B on July 25 in Yankee Stadium.

Heise was signed by the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent before the 1966 season. Prior to joining Boston he played for the Mets, Giants, Brewers, Cardinals and Angels. He finished his career with the Royals in 1977.

The late Darrell Johnson, who managed the Sox to the AL crown in '75, spoke highly of Heise in 2000. "I remember that he was a steady baseball person," said Johnson. "He was a favorite of mine because he was a heck of guy."

"He had the greatest sense of humor of anyone I ever knew," Johnson added. "He could crack you up in a heartbeat. He was never at a loss for a quip or a joke."

"He was a journeyman ball player who didn't excel at any one thing but was good at everything," his former manager said. "He knew how to play to win the game. And, above everything, he was a good person."

Heise's Moments in the Sun

• On June 6, 1976 vs. Minnesota at Fenway, Bobby laid down a perfect two-out suicide squeeze bunt to score Dwight Evans from third base in the 5th inning. He later singled in a run in the 7th as the Sox beat the Twins, 13-10.
• While filling in for Rico Petrocelli at 3B in 1975, Bobby had a 7-game stretch from July 6-11 where he went 10-for-25 (.400) with 6 runs and 7 RBI to help the Sox to a 6-1 record.
• On July 24, 1975 in Minnesota, Twins' pitcher Ray Corbin walked Rick Burleson to load the bases with one out in the 5th inning. Up came Heise, who smacked an opposite-field single scoring Jim Rice and Dwight Evans and sending Burleson to 3rd as the Sox won, 6-2.

Trivia

• Just 20 years old, Bobby made his MLB debut with the Mets on September 12, 1967 against Atlanta. Among those who played that day for the Braves was Tito Francona, father of Terry Francona. After going 0-for-3, Heise got his first major league hit, a single in the 9th inning off Jay Ritchie, but was promptly caught stealing. The catcher who threw him out at second base was none other than Joe Torre.
• Batting second in the lineup, Heise hit his only career HR with the San Francisco Giants on June 30, 1970 at Candlestick Park. The solo shot came with two outs in the 3rd inning off San Diego's Danny Coombs. The other four Giants who came to the plate that half-inning included future Hall-of-Famers Gaylord Perry (groundout), Willie Mays (walk) and Willie McCovey (groundout). The other was leadoff hitter Bobby Bonds (strikeout). That's pretty good company.
• Heise became a Department of Corrections officer in California after his playing career.
• Graduated from Vacaville (CA) High School, alma mater of Jermaine Dye.
• Played from Little League through high school with future major league pitcher David Sells.

Transactions

• Acquired from the California Angels on December 2, 1974 in exchange for OF Tommy Harper.

• Sold to the Kansas City Royals on December 6, 1976

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis