Dan Spillner – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dan Spillner put together a solid 12-year run in Major League Baseball, pitching for three different teams from 1974 to 1985. Born in Casper, Wyoming, he made his name with the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox at a time when baseball was really starting to change into its modern version.

Spillner wrapped up his pro career in 1985 with a career record of 75 wins and 89 losses, along with 878 strikeouts in 559 games. He bounced around the majors, showing what it took to be a reliable pitcher, switching from starter to reliever, and really hitting his stride in Cleveland’s bullpen in the early 1980s.

His story highlights the ups and downs of a player who squeezed every bit out of his abilities for over a decade in the big leagues. From leading the Padres in strikeouts as a young starter to becoming a key closer for the Indians, Spillner’s career shows how players had to adapt and evolve to stick around in pro baseball.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Dan Spillner was born on November 27, 1951, in Casper, Wyoming. His family later moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he started to develop his baseball skills.

He began his baseball journey at Federal Way High School in Washington. There, his pitching caught the eye of major league scouts.

Childhood and Family Background

Daniel Ray Spillner arrived on November 27, 1951, in Casper, Wyoming. Not long after, his family relocated to Federal Way, Washington.

That move ended up being pretty important for his baseball development. Growing up in Washington, Spillner found himself in a region where baseball was starting to get more attention.

The Pacific Northwest was beginning to turn out some solid baseball talent in the late ’60s and early ’70s. His family supported his early interest in the sport.

Details about his parents and siblings are a bit scarce, but the Spillners definitely backed his baseball dreams. That support turned out to be huge as he showed promise on the mound.

High School Career at Federal Way

Spillner attended Federal Way High School in Federal Way, Washington. There, he made a name for himself as a standout pitcher.

His high school career set the stage for his professional ambitions. He honed the skills that would later attract major league scouts.

His fastball stood out in the competitive Washington high school baseball scene. The late ’60s and early ’70s saw pro teams scouting high school games more aggressively.

Spillner’s performances during those years got him noticed by several teams. That fastball really became his calling card, and it carried him through his career.

Draft and Signing with the San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres picked Spillner in the second round of the 1970 MLB June Amateur Draft. They drafted him straight out of Federal Way High School, which says a lot about the impression he made.

Getting picked in the second round was a big deal. The Padres were a young franchise, having joined MLB in 1969, and they were eager to build through the draft.

Spillner signed with San Diego and started his pro baseball journey. Jumping from high school ball in Washington to the Padres’ farm system was a big leap, but it tested his skills against tougher competition.

The Padres got their return on investment when Spillner made his MLB debut on May 21, 1974, just four years after being drafted.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Dan Spillner pitched in the majors for 12 seasons, from 1974 to 1985. He finished with a 75-89 record and a 4.21 ERA over 556 games.

He started as a starter for the San Diego Padres, found his best groove as a reliever with the Cleveland Indians, and closed out his career with the Chicago White Sox.

Debut and Early Years with the San Diego Padres

Spillner debuted in the big leagues on May 21, 1974, with the San Diego Padres at age 22. The Padres had drafted him in the second round in 1970, 25th overall.

His rookie year showed real promise. He went 9-11 with a 4.01 ERA in 30 games, starting 25 of them.

Spillner logged 148 innings and struck out 95 batters that first year. In 1975, he led the Padres in strikeouts with 104, which was a career highlight.

However, he finished that year with a 5-13 record and a 4.27 ERA. Not the greatest win-loss numbers, but the strikeouts stood out.

Key Stats with San Diego (1974-1978):

• Record: 24-42
• ERA: 4.22
• Strikeouts: 346 in 449.1 innings

By 1976, things got rough. Spillner went 2-11 with a 5.06 ERA, and people started to wonder if he’d stick as a starter.

The Padres began using him more in relief in 1977. That year, he picked up six saves in 76 games.

Prime Seasons and Key Performances

Spillner’s career really changed when the Padres traded him to the Cleveland Indians during the 1978 season. The new setting seemed to suit him, and he found his groove as a reliever.

His best year by the numbers came in 1982 with Cleveland. He went 12-10 with a 2.49 ERA and notched 21 saves in 65 appearances.

That season cemented him as a reliable closer for the Indians. The strike-shortened 1981 season also showed his consistency; he posted a 3.14 ERA and seven saves in 32 games.

Career-Best Season (1982):

• Record: 12-10
• ERA: 2.49
• Saves: 21
• Innings: 133.2

Spillner adapted his pitching style for relief work, sharpening his fastball command and improving his strikeout-to-walk ratio during his Cleveland stint.

Role with the Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians brought Spillner over in a mid-season trade in 1978, and that kicked off his most productive stretch. He spent parts of seven seasons with Cleveland, from 1978 to 1984.

Cleveland mostly used Spillner out of the bullpen, though he made some spot starts. That flexibility made him a valuable piece for the pitching staff in the late ’70s and early ’80s.

With the Indians, Spillner picked up 40 saves and posted a 3.98 ERA over 290 appearances. He really shined as their closer in 1982, leading the team in saves.

Cleveland Indians Stats (1978-1984):

• Appearances: 290
• Record: 46-45
• ERA: 3.98
• Saves: 40

Things got rocky in 1983. His numbers dipped—he went 2-9 with a 5.07 ERA, which led to less playing time and trade rumors.

Final Years with the Chicago White Sox

Spillner landed with the Chicago White Sox in 1984 after a mid-season trade from Cleveland. That move gave him a couple more years in the majors.

He bounced back a bit in his first run with Chicago, putting up a 4.10 ERA in 22 games, mostly as a middle reliever.

The 1985 season ended up being his last. He pitched in 52 games for the White Sox, going 4-3 with a 3.44 ERA.

Even with those decent numbers, Spillner retired at age 33 after the season.

Final Career Totals:

• 12 seasons (1974-1985)
• Record: 75-89
• ERA: 4.21
• Strikeouts: 878
• Saves: 50

He finished his career on October 5, 1985, against the Seattle Mariners. In his final appearance, he tossed a perfect inning, retiring all three batters he faced without a hit or walk.

Pitching Style and On-Field Contributions

Dan Spillner built his career on versatility and durability. He pitched effectively in multiple roles over his 12 years in the majors.

Teams valued his ability to move between starting and relieving. That made him a real asset for the Padres, Indians, and White Sox from 1974 to 1985.

Fastball and Pitching Repertoire

Spillner leaned on a four-seam fastball, mixing in a slider and changeup. At 6’1″ and 190 pounds, he had decent velocity for his time.

His control sometimes came and went. In his first one-hitter on June 19, 1974, against the Chicago Cubs, he walked six batters and struck out three. The only hit came on Rick Monday’s third-inning infield single.

Spillner’s second one-hitter showed better command. On August 20, 1980, against the Chicago White Sox, he walked just two and struck out eight. Leo Sutherland’s ninth-inning single was the lone hit.

He finished with 878 strikeouts in 1,492 innings. That’s solid, even if it wouldn’t turn heads by today’s standards.

Transition Between Starter and Bullpen Roles

Spillner’s career really shows how much teams valued flexibility in the ’70s and ’80s. He started out as a starter in San Diego, then became more of a swing man in Cleveland.

His best season came in 1980 when manager Dave Garcia put him in Cleveland’s starting rotation. Spillner responded with 16 wins, good for 10th in the American League.

He even got the nod as the Indians’ Opening Day starter that year, though they lost 10-2 to the Angels in Anaheim.

The Indians used him both as a spot starter and long reliever in 1979. That kind of versatility helped him stick around.

By his last years in Chicago, Spillner mostly worked out of the bullpen. He had an unusual moment on July 7, 1985, drawing the only walk by a White Sox pitcher between 1972 and 1998.

Saves and Relief Pitching Achievements

Spillner’s relief stats show he was more of a multi-inning guy than a classic closer. He picked up saves in an era when the closer job wasn’t so rigid.

His bullpen work mattered most in the middle innings and long relief. Teams counted on him to eat innings and keep them in games.

His 4.21 career ERA speaks to his steady effectiveness. The 75 wins and 89 losses reflect both the teams he played for and how managers used him.

Spillner’s durability really stood out. He pitched in 52 games during his final season in 1985, showing just how much work pitchers took on back then.

His career WAR sits at 9.0, which is pretty respectable. His -0.4 batting WAR is about what you’d expect from a pitcher in that era.

Notable Games and Memorable Moments

Dan Spillner’s dozen years in the majors included some standout games that showed off his flexibility as both a starter and reliever. His most memorable moments came with the San Diego Padres in the mid-1970s and later with the Cleveland Indians, where he came through in big spots.

First MLB Win and Early Milestones

Spillner debuted for the San Diego Padres in 1974 at 22. He picked up his first MLB win as a rookie, which kicked off a solid professional run.

He quickly became a reliable arm in the Padres rotation. In 1975, he reached a big milestone by leading the Padres pitching staff in strikeouts.

That accomplishment showed he could get major league hitters out. His early success with San Diego laid the groundwork for his future roles, proving he could compete against seasoned pros.

Near No-Hitter with the Cleveland Indians

When Dan Spillner pitched for the Cleveland Indians, he came so close to a no-hitter it still gets mentioned today. That game really showed how he could dominate hitters when everything was working.

He carried that no-hit bid deep into the game before someone finally broke it up with a hit. It was easily one of the highlights of his career.

People still talk about that game as a defining moment for Spillner. It proved he could dial it up to another level when it all came together.

Standout Relief Appearances

After moving to the bullpen, Spillner put together some of his best outings. His 1982 season with the Cleveland Indians stands out—he finished 12-10 with 21 saves.

That year, he handled pressure-packed situations with surprising steadiness. Those 21 saves? They showed he could be trusted to finish games. The 12 wins out of the bullpen also showed he could do more than just close.

Spillner helped out in middle relief and setup roles too. He often came in during tight spots and managed to tilt things in his team’s favor.

Statistical Legacy and Records

Over 12 seasons, Dan Spillner put up a 75-89 record with a 4.21 ERA and 878 strikeouts in 556 games. He worked as both a starter and reliever, collecting 50 career saves, with his best stretch coming during Cleveland’s 1982 season.

Career Statistics and Rankings

Spillner threw 1,492.2 innings pitched from 1974 to 1985. If you look at his stats, you’ll see he switched roles a lot over the years.

He put up a 4.21 ERA and a 1.467 WHIP for three different teams. His best season was 1982, with a 2.49 ERA in 65 games for Cleveland.

According to Baseball-Reference, Spillner finished with 9.4 career WAR. His Hall of Stats rating sits at 21, which isn’t anywhere near Hall of Fame territory.

He appeared in 556 games—123 starts and 223 games finished. He completed 19 games and pitched three shutouts, mostly early on as a starter.

Strikeouts and Win–Loss Record

Spillner struck out 878 batters and walked 605 during his career. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.45 was decent, though not exactly elite.

His 75-89 career record works out to a .457 winning percentage. In 1980, he picked up 16 wins, which was his best single-season total.

Those 21 saves in 1982? That was his top mark in that category, and it came as he switched to full-time relief with Cleveland.

He averaged 5.3 strikeouts per nine innings, which wouldn’t stand out today, but he managed to stay steady through the years and across different roles.

Batting Performance as a Pitcher

Spillner didn’t get many chances to hit, especially after he joined the American League in 1978. Most of his plate appearances came when he pitched for San Diego.

On July 7, 1985, Spillner drew a walk for Chicago, which turned out to be the only walk by a White Sox pitcher from 1972 to 1998. That’s a weird bit of trivia, honestly.

His batting stats as a pitcher are almost nonexistent. Really, his main value always came from his pitching contributions.

Life After Retirement and Coaching Career

Dan Spillner retired from Major League Baseball in 1985 after 12 seasons. He planned to focus on his family, but, as it turns out, baseball pulled him back in as a coach and mentor.

Decision to Retire in 1985

Spillner stepped away from professional baseball in 1985, closing out a 12-year career with the Padres, Indians, and White Sox.

At the time, he felt ready to leave the grind behind. “When I walked away from the game, I figured I would just go cold turkey,” he said. “I just wanted to stay at home with my family.”

He’d grown tired of the constant travel and wanted to settle down in Issaquah, Washington. He looked forward to finally staying put and enjoying a quieter life.

Later, Spillner admitted he made a big mistake early in retirement. That same year, Dave Duncan—his former teammate—offered him a bullpen coach job with the Oakland Athletics. Spillner turned it down, later calling it “just about the biggest mistake of my life.”

Transition to Coaching and Mentoring

Spillner couldn’t stay away from baseball for long. “But baseball gets in your blood,” he said about his eventual return.

He got back into the game through his son’s youth baseball teams. Coaching Little League kids reignited his love for teaching baseball basics.

Three years after leaving the majors, Spillner became a volunteer pitching coach at Issaquah High School. Over time, he took on more responsibility and eventually ran the school’s freshman team.

“Baseball is baseball,” he’d say. “The game is the same wherever you play it, whether you are working with young kids just starting out, or major-league players.”

In 1991, the San Francisco Giants offered him the pitching coach job for their Class A affiliate, the Everett Giants. He asked for a little time to think it over, but he accepted, officially returning to pro ball.

Impact on Youth and Minor League Baseball

Spillner wanted to give young players the kind of guidance he didn’t get as a minor leaguer. Back in 1970, when he started in Kennewick, teams had to share pitching coaches who barely spent any time with each club.

“We just had the one manager, and he was with us all the time, but we didn’t get a lot of attention from the pitching coach,” Spillner remembered. “We were pretty much on our own.”

He taught his players to learn from failure, passing along advice from Billy Martin: “You have to learn how to lose before you can know how to win.”

Spillner didn’t try to force changes on his players. “I’m not going to be there to change them,” he said. “They’ve been through high school and college baseball and they have a good idea of how to play the game.”

The Everett Giants job worked out perfectly for Spillner. He could stay close to family and still be part of baseball, commuting to the ballpark every day.

Data Sources and Further Reading

If you want to dig deeper into Dan Spillner’s career, a few databases stand out. Retrosheet.org has the most detailed game-by-game records, and Baseball-Reference is the go-to for stats.

Retrosheet and Retrosheet.org

Retrosheet.org is the top spot for play-by-play baseball data. They keep detailed records of Spillner’s games from 1974 through 1985.

You’ll find play-by-play breakdowns for many of his appearances. Researchers can look up details on his relief outings and starts.

Retrosheet also lets you check out situational stats, like how Spillner did in high-leverage moments during that big 1982 season in Cleveland.

The site relies on volunteers to keep things accurate. Their data is a big part of modern baseball analytics.

Baseball Reference and Other Databases

Baseball-Reference.com is probably the easiest place to find Dan Spillner’s career stats. You’ll see his full pitching record from all 12 major league seasons.

Key numbers include his 75-89 win-loss record and 4.21 career ERA. The site also tracks his move from starter to reliever during his Cleveland years.

The Baseball Cube has extra game logs and minor league stats, which help fill in the story of his rise to the majors.

For quick summaries and team info, ESPN’s baseball archives come in handy. Those sources help confirm the basics about his career and where he played.

Recommended Resources for Deeper Research

Baseball Almanac gives you a pretty thorough look at Spillner’s career. You’ll find his birth date, November 27, 1951, and the details about his debut on May 21, 1974.

StatsCrew.com shows stats in a different way, which makes it easier to double-check career totals or see how he did each season.

If you dig into newspaper archives from San Diego, Cleveland, or Chicago, you’ll come across game reports. These old articles add some nice context about how Spillner performed in those important seasons.

Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) publications sometimes feature biographical profiles. Baseball historians often share interviews or career analysis in these resources.