Floyd Weaver built a four-season career in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher, wrapping up his final appearance on September 26, 1971, against the Oakland Athletics. This Texas native put together a 4-5 record with a 5.21 ERA across 85 games, playing for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers between 1962 and 1971.
Born David Floyd Weaver in Ben Franklin, Texas, he stood 6-foot-4 and weighed 195 pounds back in his playing days.
Weaver’s journey in professional baseball really got going after his time at Paris Junior College, where he played both baseball and basketball. He made his MLB debut in 1962 with Cleveland, then pitched again in 1965, 1970, and finally in 1971.
He faced his share of ups and downs with consistency, but still managed 108 strikeouts over 155.1 innings throughout his career.
His story is more than just numbers. Weaver’s determination kept him in professional baseball for nearly a decade. Starting from small-town Texas and finishing in Milwaukee, his experience is pretty typical for journeyman players who held Major League Baseball together during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Biographical Background
David Floyd Weaver was born on May 12, 1941, in Ben Franklin, Texas. He grew into a promising athlete before signing with the Cleveland Indians for a hefty bonus.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and throwing right-handed, he played professional baseball from 1962 to 1971. After baseball, he switched careers and became an industrial X-ray technician.
Early Life and Education
Weaver grew up in Texas and attended Pecan Gap High School in Pecan Gap. After high school, he went to Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas, where he played both baseball and basketball.
On May 10, 1961, his college baseball career hit a high point when he struck out 21 batters in a nine-inning game at Grand Junction, Colorado. That record still stands in college baseball.
This happened during the first round of the 1961 NJCAA Baseball World Series, though his team lost 5-3 to Wilbur Wright College of Chicago.
Before chasing a pro baseball career, Weaver served in the US Army. Scout Bobby Goff spotted his talent and signed him to the Cleveland Indians on June 1, 1961, just a week after that record-setting game.
The Indians offered him a reported $65,000 bonus, which was a big deal for a young player back then.
Physical Attributes and Playing Style
Weaver had the ideal pitcher’s build at 6 feet 4 inches and 195 pounds. His height gave him a natural edge on the mound, letting him throw pitches at a sharp downward angle that made life tough for hitters.
He batted and threw right-handed, which was pretty standard for pitchers in his era. With that tall frame and righty delivery, he looked intimidating on the mound.
Over his nine-year pro career, Weaver finished with a 4-5 record in 85 games. He pitched 155.1 innings, allowed 149 hits, and tallied 108 strikeouts. His career ERA was 5.21, showing the kind of challenges he faced moving up from college ball.
He made his big league debut on September 30, 1962, with the Cleveland Indians at age 21. His last game was September 26, 1971, with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Personal Life After Baseball
After hanging up his glove, Weaver found steady work as an industrial X-ray technician. That job let him use his technical skills and gave him a stable career after baseball.
He stayed involved in his community, becoming a deacon at East Paris Baptist Church. That role reflected his commitment to faith and serving others in his later years.
Weaver passed away on November 17, 2008, in Powderly, Texas, at 67. At the time, he was still serving as a deacon, showing his lifelong dedication to his church and community.
Major League Baseball Career Overview
Floyd Weaver pitched in Major League Baseball for four seasons between 1962 and 1971. He put up a 4-5 record with a 5.21 ERA in 85 games.
His career took him to three teams: the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Debut with the Cleveland Indians
Floyd Weaver made his MLB debut on September 30, 1962, with the Cleveland Indians at 21. The Indians had signed him in 1961 after his standout college career.
His first stint with Cleveland was short in 1962. He came back to the Indians in 1965 for another shot.
With Cleveland, Weaver stood out on the mound at 6 feet 4 inches. His time with the Indians laid the groundwork for his MLB career, though his stats from those early years just add to his overall totals.
The Indians gave him his first shot at the majors. That experience proved valuable as he moved forward in his career.
Tenure with Chicago White Sox
After Cleveland, Weaver landed with the Chicago White Sox in 1970. That move kicked off a new chapter for him in the American League.
His year with the White Sox fell right in the middle of his four-year MLB run. The team gave him another chance to show what he could do at the highest level.
Chicago became the second stop in his three-team MLB journey. The White Sox gave him some decent playing time during the 1970 season.
He added to his career stats during his stint with Chicago. The experience there helped get him ready for his last MLB season.
Final Season with Milwaukee Brewers
Weaver wrapped up his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971. That final season marked his fourth year in the majors, and his third team.
His last big league appearance came on September 26, 1971, in a Brewers uniform. That game marked the end of his pro baseball days at the top level.
With Milwaukee, Weaver finished off his career totals: 108 strikeouts over 155.1 innings pitched. He allowed 149 hits while sticking to his role as a right-handed pitcher.
The Brewers gave him his last chance to compete in the majors. That season capped off a career that stretched close to a decade from his first signing.
Retirement in 1971
Floyd Weaver retired from pro baseball after the 1971 season at age 30. His last game on September 26, 1971, closed out his four MLB seasons.
After baseball, he started working as an industrial X-ray technician. He stayed in Texas, where he’d grown up and gone to school.
His career stats showed his time as mostly a reliever and sometimes a starter. Weaver’s 5.21 ERA and 4-5 record summed up his contributions in 85 games.
He stayed active in his community after baseball, serving as a deacon at East Paris Baptist Church until his passing in 2008.
Statistical Achievements and Career Totals
Floyd Weaver’s four-season MLB career gave him a 4-5 record with a 5.21 ERA over 85 games and 155.1 innings. His best year came in 1970 with the Chicago White Sox, when he posted a 4.38 ERA and struck out 51 batters.
Year-by-Year Pitching Performance
In 1962, Weaver debuted with Cleveland and showed promise. He pitched 5.0 innings in one game, put up a sharp 1.80 ERA, and struck out 8.
His busiest year was 1965. He appeared in 32 games for Cleveland, started once, and picked up a save. That season, he went 2-2 with a 5.43 ERA over 61.1 innings.
The 1970 season with Chicago was his career-best performance. He finished 1-2 with a 4.38 ERA in 31 appearances, striking out 51 and walking 31. His control looked better that year.
His last season in 1971 with Milwaukee was tough. He posted a 7.24 ERA in 21 games, giving up 33 hits in just 27.1 innings.
Notable Games and Highlights
Weaver’s big league debut on September 30, 1962, against an American League opponent, showed off his strikeout ability. He fanned 8 batters in 5.0 innings, showing the kind of stuff that got him noticed.
In 1965, he notched his only career save for Cleveland. That flexibility to pitch as both a starter and reliever made him useful to the Indians.
During his 1970 run with Chicago, Weaver made 3 starts out of 31 games. That ability to fill different roles made him a handy piece for the White Sox bullpen.
Career Totals and Milestones
Weaver’s career totals show a journeyman pitcher who contributed over four seasons. He struck out 108 and walked 73, for a 1.48 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was 1.429 for his career. According to Baseball Almanac, he allowed 149 hits in 155.1 innings.
His ERA+ of 70 means he performed about 30% below league average during his time. He finished with a -1.2 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) over his four seasons.
He appeared in 85 games, starting just 5 times. His last appearance came on September 26, 1971, closing out a brief but interesting major league career.
In-Depth Pitching Analysis
Floyd Weaver’s pitching career stretched nearly a decade, but he struggled with consistency in different situations. His 5.21 career ERA and the big gap between his home and road stats tell a lot about his time on the mound.
Pitching Style and Techniques
Weaver stood 6’4″ and weighed 195 pounds, giving him a clear physical edge. His right-handed delivery let him go right after hitters when he was in a groove.
He ended up with 108 strikeouts over his four MLB seasons. That shows he had some decent velocity or movement on his pitches. Missing bats kept him in pro baseball for almost ten years.
But Weaver’s control issues were tough to ignore. In 1971, he walked 18 batters in just 27.1 innings. That was a problem that followed him most of his career.
He switched between starting and relief roles, depending on what the team needed.
Advanced Pitching Metrics
Weaver’s 5.21 ERA put him above the league average during his playing days. His 1971 season really showed how much his performance could swing.
At home that year, he posted a 4.97 ERA over 12.2 innings. He gave up 12 hits and 7 earned runs, walking 5. His command and results looked better at home.
On the road, things got rough. He finished with a 9.51 ERA in 14.2 innings, allowing 21 hits, 15 earned runs, and 3 home runs, while walking 13.
His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) highlighted those control problems. Too many baserunners meant he was always pitching under pressure.
Comparisons with Contemporaries
Weaver’s numbers put him among the struggling pitchers of his era. His 5.21 career ERA was well above the typical major league average of the late ’60s and early ’70s.
Most successful pitchers back then kept their ERAs closer to 3.00 or 4.00. Weaver looked more like a replacement-level player than a steady contributor.
He spent parts of four seasons with three different teams. That kind of movement suggests teams saw him as depth, not a core player.
His 4-5 record over 85 games shows he didn’t have a big impact on team success. Pitchers with similar tools often did better by commanding the strike zone and mixing pitches more effectively.
Hitting and Fielding Contributions
Floyd Weaver spent his career on the mound, but his time at the plate and in the field adds a few extra brushstrokes to his player profile. His hitting numbers? Pretty much what you’d expect from a pitcher back in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. On defense, he had some solid plays mixed with a few rough patches during his four seasons.
Hitting Stats Throughout MLB Career
Weaver didn’t do much with the bat, which isn’t surprising for a pitcher in his era. He got into 85 games for Cleveland, Chicago, and Milwaukee, almost always as a pitcher.
Career Batting Overview:
- Total Games: 85 career appearances
- Primary Role: Relief pitcher and occasional starter
- Plate Appearances: Limited due to pitching specialization
When he played for Cleveland in 1962 and 1965, Weaver barely got any at-bats. Relief pitchers just didn’t get many chances to hit.
His busiest season came in 1970 with Chicago. He pitched in 31 games and started three, but even then, hitting wasn’t really in the cards for him.
By 1971, he was with Milwaukee, pitching in 21 games, all in relief. That year, he basically didn’t get to swing the bat at all.
Defensive Fielding Stats and Performance
Weaver’s work in the field came with ups and downs. He posted a fielding percentage of .938, which was a bit below the league average of .953 for his time.
Career Fielding Breakdown:
- Total Chances: 32
- Putouts: 11
- Assists: 19
- Errors: 2
- Double Plays: 1
In 1965 with Cleveland, Weaver had his best defensive season. He handled all 15 chances without a single error, racking up six putouts and nine assists.
Things didn’t go as smoothly in 1970 with Chicago. He made two errors in just 10 chances, dropping his percentage to .800 that year. That really dragged down his career numbers.
Weaver’s range factor per nine innings landed at 1.74, which was a bit under the league average of 1.96. That number suggests he didn’t cover a ton of ground around the mound.
Baserunner Control: He allowed 17 stolen bases and threw out five runners, so his caught stealing rate sat at 22.7%.
Legacy and Recognition
People mostly remember Floyd Weaver for his college strikeout record and his spot in baseball’s record books. His four years in the majors left a modest mark on three American League teams, but his stats are still out there for anyone who wants to look.
Impact on Teams and Teammates
Weaver played four MLB seasons with three teams. He pitched for the Cleveland Indians in 1962 and 1965, joined the Chicago White Sox in 1970, and finished with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1971.
His best year was probably 1970 with Chicago. He put up a 4.38 ERA in 31 games and struck out 51 hitters in 61.2 innings.
With Cleveland, he had a 5.16 ERA over 33 games in two seasons. When Weaver debuted on September 30, 1962, he struck out eight batters in just five innings, which definitely turned some heads.
By the time he reached Milwaukee in 1971, things got tough. He finished with a 7.24 ERA in 21 games before stepping away from pro baseball.
Across his career, he picked up 4 wins, 5 losses, and 108 strikeouts in 85 games. Weaver stood 6’4” and weighed 195 pounds, which made him a pretty imposing figure on the mound.
Presence in Baseball Records and Databases
Weaver’s statistics live on in baseball databases like Baseball-Reference.com. Those sites break down his pitching numbers for each of his four MLB seasons.
You’ll find his career 5.21 ERA and 1.429 WHIP in those records. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.48 shows he struggled with control at times.
But Weaver’s biggest claim to fame actually came in college at Paris Junior College. On May 10, 1961, he struck out 21 hitters in a nine-inning game at Grand Junction, Colorado.
That strikeout record still stands, which is pretty wild. It’s the kind of performance that really made scouts take notice before he went pro.
Baseball almanacs and stat books still mention that incredible game. It’s a reminder of the raw talent Weaver brought to the diamond, especially before he ever set foot on a big league field.
Posthumous Recognition
Weaver died on November 17, 2008, at age 67 in Powderly, Texas. His family buried him at Long Cemetery in Powderly, which kept his connection to his home state alive.
Obituaries and memorial pages highlighted both his professional baseball career and what he accomplished in college. Find a Grave Memorial and other sources still keep the details of his life and career available.
Baseball databases keep his full statistical record online. These days, new baseball fans can easily look up his career numbers on digital platforms.
His 1961 strikeout record guarantees his name shows up in collegiate baseball record books. That achievement stands out as his most lasting mark on baseball history.
The record reminds people of just how talented he was as an amateur. Honestly, it’s still one of the most impressive single-game pitching feats in college baseball.
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