Dave Morehead – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dave Morehead made his mark in baseball history during his eight-year Major League run, pitching for the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals from 1963 to 1970.

A right-hander from San Diego, he exploded onto the scene as a rookie phenom, but soon faced the ups and downs that come with a pro career.

His years on the mound brought brilliant moments and frustrating injuries, both shaping how people remember him.

Morehead tossed the last no-hitter by a Red Sox pitcher for 36 years, doing it against the Cleveland Indians on September 16, 1965, at Fenway Park.

That achievement happened during a rough season for Boston, and yet, it still showed off Morehead’s talent.

Only about 2,000 fans showed up that day, so the no-hitter remains one of the most overlooked in baseball history.

From his debut shutout in 1963 until his final game in 1970, Morehead’s career really shows just how unpredictable pro baseball can be.

He helped out in Boston’s wild 1967 “Impossible Dream” pennant chase, battled arm injuries, and shifted from a promising young starter to a veteran trying to hang on.

Looking at Morehead’s path gives a window into the era’s baseball world and the tough breaks pitchers faced back then.

Early Life and Path to Major League Baseball

David Michael Morehead was born on September 5, 1942, in San Diego, California, to Charles and Patricia Morehead.

He started out as a self-described “gym rat” and eventually landed an $85,000 signing bonus with the Boston Red Sox.

Family Background and Education

David grew up in a supportive home in San Diego.

His parents, Charles and Patricia, cheered him on at every game and really encouraged his athletic side.

He had a younger brother, just two years behind him, and together they played Little League when Dave was nine.

That was one of the first Little League programs in San Diego.

Morehead spent a lot of his youth at the local rec center, playing everything from ping pong to pinochle.

He developed a competitive streak and picked up all kinds of athletic skills.

He attended Herbert Hoover High School, which, fun fact, also produced Ted Williams.

Morehead graduated in 1961 after a senior season that definitely caught the eyes of pro scouts.

San Diego Roots and Early Baseball Experience

San Diego shaped Morehead’s baseball journey in a big way.

Two ex-pros, Lee Singleton and Jim Gleason, played a huge role in helping him develop as a pitcher.

He grew up rooting for the Pacific Coast League San Diego Padres, going to games and listening on the radio.

Max West was his favorite player, and those early baseball memories fueled his dream of playing in the majors.

During high school, Morehead met Ted Williams—just three or four miles separated their childhood homes in San Diego.

Williams checked him out as a Red Sox prospect, which must’ve been surreal.

People started calling him “Moe” around the local baseball scene, and the nickname stuck.

Signing and Amateur Achievements

Morehead’s senior year at Hoover High was just nuts.

He went 16-0 and averaged about 15 strikeouts per game, earning all-league honors in baseball.

He also got all-league in basketball, so he was a two-sport standout.

Several teams wanted to sign him: the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Athletics, and Los Angeles Angels.

But Ray Boone, a former big-league infielder turned Red Sox scout, managed to sign him.

Morehead became the first player Boone signed for the Red Sox, which is pretty cool, considering Boone later signed Curt Schilling too.

The $85,000 signing bonus was huge at the time, showing just how much Boston wanted him.

Former Boston Brave Bob Elliott also helped sway Morehead, talking up owner Tom Yawkey’s organization.

Morehead had thought about going to USC, but he chose pro ball instead.

“I saw the Red Sox weren’t playing very well, and I saw it as an opportunity to advance fast,” he told author Peter Golenbock.

MLB Debut and Rookie Season

Dave Morehead made an instant splash with the Boston Red Sox in 1963 at age 20, throwing a shutout in his very first Major League game.

His rookie season brought strong strikeout numbers and some standout games, even if his win-loss record didn’t look great.

Major League Debut with the Boston Red Sox

Morehead expected to go back to Triple-A in 1963, but injuries to Gene Conley and Ike Delock opened a spot.

He made his MLB debut on April 13, 1963, at D.C. Stadium against the Washington Senators.

He shut out the Senators 3-0, racking up 10 strikeouts and giving up just five hits.

That was the first time since Dave “Boo” Ferriss in 1945 that a Red Sox pitcher threw a shutout in his debut.

Right away, Morehead proved he could handle the pressure.

Those 10 strikeouts were just the start—he’d go on to have 10 double-digit strikeout games in his career.

Notable Rookie Performances

Morehead kept rolling in his second outing on April 20 against the Tigers.

He pitched 6⅔ innings of one-run, four-hit ball, but didn’t get a decision in a 15-inning Red Sox win.

His third start, May 5 in Kansas City, showed his early consistency.

He allowed only four hits in 7⅔ innings during a 3-2 Red Sox victory over the Athletics.

He kept going deep into games that season, finishing six complete games and tossing another shutout beyond his debut.

The Red Sox trusted him, and he logged 174⅔ innings as a rookie.

Initial Pitching Statistics

Morehead’s rookie stats showed both promise and some growing pains.

He finished the year 10-13 with a 3.81 ERA in 174⅔ innings.

His strikeout numbers popped—136 Ks, compared to 99 walks and just 137 hits allowed.

The fact that he gave up so few hits for all those innings really says something about his stuff.

Statistic	1963 Rookie Season
Wins-Losses	10-13
ERA	3.81
Strikeouts	136
Walks	99
Hits Allowed	137
Innings Pitched	174⅔

Even with a losing record, Morehead showed he belonged in the Red Sox rotation.

Career Highlights and Notable Achievements

Dave Morehead’s eight years in the majors peaked with his no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park in 1965.

He also delivered five big wins during Boston’s 1967 pennant push and pitched in two World Series games that year.

The 1965 No-Hitter Against the Cleveland Indians

On September 16, 1965, Morehead threw a no-hitter at Fenway Park against the Cleveland Indians.

He faced Luis Tiant in a classic pitcher’s duel in front of barely more than 2,000 fans.

Just 1,247 paid to get in, with another 1,123 on passes.

Rocky Colavito drew the only walk for Cleveland in the second inning, so he was the only Indian to reach base.

The Red Sox scored in the sixth when Jim Gosger beat out a hit and came home on Dalton Jones’ triple.

Lee Thomas added a solo homer in the seventh, his 20th of the season.

Morehead struck out eight and walked just one.

The last out came on a grounder back to the mound by Vic Davalillo.

“I went to catch it, and I was going to run over to first,” Morehead remembered.

The ball hit the heel of his glove, but he recovered and threw to Lee Thomas for the final out.

Nobody else threw a Red Sox no-hitter until Hideo Nomo did it in 2001.

Key Moments at Fenway Park

Morehead debuted on April 13, 1963, at D.C. Stadium against Washington, shutting out the Senators 3-0.

He struck out 10 and allowed just five hits.

That was the first Red Sox debut shutout since Dave “Boo” Ferriss in 1945.

Throughout his career, he racked up 10 games with double-digit strikeouts.

During the 1967 pennant race, Morehead pitched a complete game shutout against Detroit at Fenway on August 15, winning 4-0.

That was his first complete game since the 1965 no-hitter.

He teamed up with Sparky Lyle twice for shutout wins.

On August 28, they blanked the Yankees 3-0 at Yankee Stadium.

On September 9, they combined for a 7-1 win over New York at Fenway.

Owner Tom Yawkey handed Morehead a $1,000 bonus right after his no-hitter.

Recognition in the American League

Morehead pitched in two games during the 1967 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

In Game Four, he threw three innings of hitless relief in a 6-0 loss at St. Louis.

He started the ninth inning of Game Seven but walked the bases loaded after striking out Bob Gibson.

Dan Osinski and Ken Brett came in to finish the inning without letting the Cardinals score in the 7-2 loss.

His 1967 season ended with 5 wins, 4 losses, and a 4.34 ERA.

He struck out 40 in 47⅔ innings, walked 22, and allowed 48 hits.

For his career, Morehead had 40 wins, 64 losses, and a 4.15 ERA in 177 games.

He notched 627 strikeouts while pitching for the Red Sox and Royals.

That $85,000 signing bonus back in 1961 still stands out, especially since he went 16-0 with 15 Ks per game as a high school senior.

Boston Red Sox Years (1963–1968)

Dave Morehead spent six seasons with the Boston Red Sox, putting up a 35-56 record and a 4.17 ERA over 664.2 innings.

His biggest impact came in 1967, when he delivered clutch wins during the team’s wild run to the World Series.

Pitching Performance and Statistics

Morehead’s rookie year in 1963 was his best statistically with Boston.

At just 19, he went 10-13 with a 3.81 ERA over 29 starts, striking out 136 in 174.2 innings.

In 1964, things got tougher—he dropped to 8-15 with a 4.97 ERA, but still struck out 139 in 166.2 innings.

By 1965, Morehead threw his most innings for Boston, 192.2, and racked up 163 strikeouts with two shutouts.

He also lost 18 games that year, which really mirrored the team’s struggles.

Key Statistics (1963-1968):

• Total Record: 35-56
• ERA: 4.17
• Strikeouts: 526
• Walks: 373
• Complete Games: 18

Role in the 1967 Red Sox and World Series Appearance

Morehead played a supporting but meaningful role during the 1967 Red Sox “Impossible Dream” season. He picked up five wins during the crucial August-September stretch when Boston fought for the American League pennant.

He finished the regular season with a 5-4 record and a 4.34 ERA in 10 appearances. Morehead started nine games and managed to go the distance once during the pennant race.

During the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Morehead got into two games as a reliever. He tossed 3.1 innings, somehow not allowing a run, giving up no hits, but walking four and striking out three.

That 1967 World Series appearance really marked the high point of his career. His scoreless relief helped the Red Sox hang tough in a seven-game series that totally captivated New England fans.

Team Impact and Player Reputation

Red Sox fans mostly remember Morehead for his no-hitter in 1965 against the Cleveland Indians. That moment stood out in some otherwise tough seasons for both him and the team.

He brought durability to Boston’s rotation in the mid-1960s. From 1963-1965, Morehead made 29-34 starts each year, chewing up innings when Boston needed someone dependable.

His strikeout ability stuck around throughout his time in Boston. He averaged over seven strikeouts per nine innings, showing off his stuff even when the wins didn’t always follow.

People in the clubhouse called him “Moe,” a nickname that fit his easygoing personality. Teammates appreciated his work ethic and how he always took the ball every fifth day, even when things got rough.

Analysis of Strikeouts, Walks, and Losses

Morehead’s control issues really hurt his win totals with Boston. He walked 373 batters over six seasons, which works out to 5.1 walks per nine innings.

His strikeout-to-walk ratio landed at 1.41, so he clearly had decent stuff but just couldn’t always locate it. He struck out 526 batters as a Red Sox, proving he could miss bats when he got ahead.

Between 1963 and 1968, he lost 56 games, a number that says a lot about his struggles and the team’s performance too. Boston finished below .500 in four of Morehead’s six seasons, so he didn’t always get much help.

Take 1965, for example. He struck out 163 and posted a 4.06 ERA, but still lost 18 games because of lousy run support and bullpen meltdowns late in games.

Kansas City Royals Tenure and Final MLB Seasons

Dave Morehead wrapped up his career with two seasons in Kansas City after the expansion Royals picked him up from Boston. His time with the Royals brought both struggles and a few flashes of effectiveness before he retired after the 1970 season.

Selection in the Expansion Draft

The Kansas City Royals grabbed Dave Morehead from the Red Sox during the 1968 expansion draft. As one of four new franchises, the Royals needed experienced pitchers to fill out their brand-new roster.

Morehead brought value despite his injury history. His 1965 no-hitter and World Series experience with the 1967 Red Sox made him a pretty tempting choice for a young team.

The expansion draft let teams like Kansas City pick players from existing rosters. Boston chose not to protect Morehead, probably because arm troubles had slowed him down since 1966.

Pitching with the Kansas City Royals

Morehead made his Royals debut in 1969, showing up in 21 games during the franchise’s first season. He worked mostly as a reliever, a change from his starter days in Boston.

The team had a rough go of it that first year. Kansas City ended up with one of the worst records in the American League, and their pitchers didn’t get much help from the offense.

Morehead’s arm problems didn’t let up. The shoulder injury from 1966 changed his delivery and cut down his effectiveness on the mound.

Even with the setbacks, he gave veteran leadership to a young pitching staff. His major league experience mattered for a franchise learning how to compete.

Final Performance Statistics in 1970

The 1970 season turned out to be Morehead’s final year in professional baseball. He pitched in 28 games for Kansas City, finishing with a 3-5 record and a 3.62 ERA.

That 3.62 ERA was actually pretty solid for a pitcher nearing the end of the line. The Royals as a team allowed 705 runs and scored just 611, winding up fourth in the AL West with a 65-97 record.

Morehead’s last MLB appearance happened on September 29, 1970, in a wild twelve-inning game against the Minnesota Twins. The Royals won 14-13, not a bad way to go out.

Final 1970 Statistics:

• Games: 28
• Record: 3-5
• ERA: 3.62
• Team Record: 65-97

Retirement and Contributing Factors

The Kansas City Royals released Morehead on March 30, 1971, which ended his professional baseball career. He’d been taking classes at San Diego State University during the off-seasons, getting ready for life after baseball.

Morehead thought about other opportunities for a bit, but he decided to move on. His arm troubles made it pretty clear his playing days were over.

He retired after eight seasons in the majors. Morehead finished with a career record of 40-64 and a 4.15 ERA in 759.1 MLB innings.

That no-hitter against Cleveland in 1965 stayed his signature moment. It was actually the last Red Sox no-hitter for 35 years, until Hideo Nomo pulled it off in 2001.

Career Statistics, Legacy, and Recognition

Dave Morehead put together a modest but memorable eight-year MLB career from 1963 to 1970. He finished with a 40-64 record and a 4.15 ERA in 177 games.

His stats live on in places like Baseball Almanac and Retrosheet, but his real legacy centers on that 1965 no-hitter and his part in the 1967 Red Sox pennant run.

Overall MLB Career Stats and Rankings

Morehead spent eight seasons in the majors, pitching for the Boston Red Sox (1963-1968) and Kansas City Royals (1969-1970). He wrapped up his career with 40 wins, 64 losses, and a 4.15 ERA.

The right-hander struck out 627 batters, logging plenty of innings for both teams. His best year came in 1965 when he struck out 163, even though the Red Sox finished a disappointing 62-100.

His biggest moment happened on September 16, 1965. Morehead threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park, allowing just one baserunner—Rocky Colavito, who walked in the second inning.

He played a key role in the Red Sox’s 1967 “Impossible Dream” season. Morehead picked up five wins in August and September after coming up from Triple-A Toronto in late July.

Media, Baseball Almanac, and Retrosheet Coverage

Baseball Almanac keeps detailed records of Morehead’s stats, bio, and game-by-game performances. The database lists his September 5, 1942 birth date in San Diego, California, and tracks his full big league journey.

Retrosheet offers play-by-play breakdowns of Morehead’s biggest games, including his 1965 no-hitter and 1967 World Series stints. These digital archives make sure his contributions stick around for modern fans and researchers.

The Society for American Baseball Research covers Morehead’s career in depth, even digging into his injury struggles and life after baseball. Their profiles mention his $85,000 signing bonus and how quickly he moved through the Red Sox system.

Major League Baseball’s official records show Morehead pitched in two World Series games in 1967. He threw three hitless innings in Game Four and appeared in the deciding Game Seven against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Contributions to the Sport and Lasting Influence

Morehead left his biggest mark with that 1965 no-hitter. For 36 years, no other Red Sox pitcher matched it until Hideo Nomo finally broke the drought in 2001.

On September 16, 1965, he shut down Cleveland. That game stands out as a rare highlight in a season most fans would rather forget.

People still talk about his role in the 1967 “Impossible Dream” season. He stepped up as a valuable contributor for a team chasing a championship.

Manager Dick Williams trusted Morehead during the pennant race. Morehead proved he could handle pressure when it mattered most.

His career shows just how tough things get for young players with arm injuries. In 1966, he hurt his shoulder pitching at Fenway Park on a cold, drizzly day, and that injury changed everything for him.

Former major leaguers and scouts, especially Ray Boone who signed him, guided Morehead as he developed. That old-school baseball mentorship really shaped his journey.

He attended Herbert Hoover High School, the same one that produced Ted Williams. That connection cements his place in San Diego’s baseball history.