Rawly Eastwick – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Rawly Eastwick burst onto the baseball scene in 1975 as a rookie reliever for the Cincinnati Reds‘ legendary Big Red Machine.

This confident young pitcher quickly became one of the game’s top closers, leading the National League in saves during his first two seasons. His rise from a struggling minor leaguer to World Series champion stands out as one of baseball’s most compelling success stories of the 1970s.

Eastwick’s career ended abruptly in 1981 after just seven seasons. He became one of the shortest-tenured players to achieve such early dominance as a relief pitcher.

The New Jersey native’s journey took him from the heights of championship glory in Cincinnati to disappointing stints with five other teams.

His story reveals both the peak performance possible in professional baseball and how quickly careers can change direction. From his breakout performances in crucial World Series moments to his struggles with arm problems and team changes, Eastwick’s career gives us a glimpse into the pressures faced by relief pitchers during baseball’s competitive 1970s era.

His path from amateur standout to major league star, and ultimately to early retirement, really demonstrates just how unpredictable professional sports careers can be.

Early Life and Amateur Success

Rawlins Jackson Eastwick III was born into a middle-class family in Camden, New Jersey, on October 24, 1950. He grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs.

His athletic talents showed up early at Haddonfield High School. He excelled in both baseball and wrestling during the late 1960s.

Family Background and Upbringing

Rawlins Jackson Eastwick III entered the world on October 24, 1950, in Camden, New Jersey.

His family soon moved to Haddonfield, an upper-middle-class suburb of Philadelphia.

The youngest of five children, Eastwick grew up in a household led by his father, Rawlins Jackson Eastwick Jr., who worked as an engineer for Bell Telephone. Friends just called his dad “Bud.”

Family Structure:

• Parents: Rawlins Jackson Eastwick Jr. and Ruth Brown Eastwick
• Siblings: Twin brothers Robert and Richard, sister Nancy, and twin brother Ralph
• Birth Order: Youngest of five children

His parents had planned to name one of the twins after his father but ran out of names for the other children. “They knew what they wanted to name one of us, but they ran out of names,” Eastwick later recalled.

His father just said, “Give him my name.”

High School Athletics and Achievements

At Haddonfield High School, Eastwick became a standout two-sport athlete. His 6-foot-3 frame and natural athleticism made him a force on both the baseball diamond and wrestling mat.

Baseball Accomplishments:

• Earned all-state honors in baseball
• Named honorable mention All-American in 1969
• Developed his signature hard, sinking fastball

Wrestling Success:

• Won the district high school championship twice
• Showed the competitive fire that would later define his baseball career

His baseball skills drew attention from college recruiters and pro scouts. The lanky right-hander’s fastball and competitive nature made him an attractive prospect for the 1969 amateur draft.

Draft Experience and 1969 June Draft

The Cincinnati Reds picked Eastwick in the third round of the 1969 amateur draft. At just 18 years old, he faced a big decision between college and pro baseball.

Draft Details:

• Team: Cincinnati Reds
• Round: Third round
• Year: 1969
• Age: 18 years old

Even though he grew up as a Philadelphia Phillies fan, Eastwick signed with Cincinnati. His first pro season proved tough, as he posted an earned run average near 5.00 for the Gulf Coast League Reds.

The jump from high school to pro baseball wasn’t easy for him. He allowed nearly two baserunners per inning during his rookie year in the Reds’ farm system.

Minor League Development

Eastwick’s journey through the minors from 1969 to 1974 turned him from a struggling teenage pitcher into one of baseball’s most effective closers.

He spent time with several teams in the Reds organization, and eventually found his calling as a relief specialist.

First Seasons with the Reds Organization

The Cincinnati Reds drafted Eastwick in the third round of the 1969 amateur draft when he was just 18. He made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Reds, where he really struggled.

Eastwick posted an ERA near 5.00 during his first season. He allowed almost two baserunners per inning, showing the typical growing pains of young pitchers adjusting to pro ball.

His performance bounced around over the next few years. The young right-hander worked on his control and developed his signature fastball that would later make him famous in the majors.

Role Change: Starter to Closer

The Reds organization eventually moved him to the bullpen full-time. That switch let him use his powerful fastball over shorter outings instead of pacing himself as a starter.

By 1972, Eastwick had found his groove as a relief pitcher. He thrived in the closer role, attacking hitters with his “here-it-is-and-now-try-to-hit-it” fastball.

The role change proved crucial for him. Relief pitching fit his aggressive mentality and let him go after hitters without worrying about saving energy for later innings.

Key Minor League Teams: Tampa, Trois-Rivieres, Indianapolis

Eastwick’s biggest minor league success came with Trois-Rivieres in the Eastern League during 1972. He posted a 2.34 ERA in 119 innings, all in relief.

His 20 saves led the Eastern League that season. That performance established him as one of the top relief prospects in the Reds system and earned him a promotion to Triple-A.

Eastwick spent two seasons with the Indianapolis Indians at Triple-A before his major league call-up. The Indianapolis experience prepared him for the pressures of big-league baseball.

His time with Indianapolis showed he could handle advanced hitters. The Reds recalled him briefly in September 1974, then sent him back to Indianapolis to start the 1975 season before his permanent promotion in May.

Cincinnati Reds Career and Big Red Machine

Rawly Eastwick’s time with the Cincinnati Reds from 1974 to 1977 made him one of baseball’s premier relief pitchers. He played a key role for the Big Red Machine, leading the National League in saves for two straight seasons and helping Cincinnati win two World Series titles.

Major League Debut and Initial Impact

Eastwick made his big league debut on September 12, 1974, against the Atlanta Braves at age 23. His first batter? Hank Aaron, who had just broken Babe Ruth’s home run record that season.

Aaron flew out to center field in their first meeting. The young pitcher made an immediate impression during his brief eight-game stint.

He earned two saves and showed the stuff that would make him a cornerstone of the Reds’ bullpen. In a memorable moment, Eastwick gave up Aaron’s 733rd and final National League home run in the last game of the season.

After starting the 1975 season in Triple-A Indianapolis, Eastwick got recalled in mid-May. He showed up in the clubhouse unexpectedly, telling teammates, “They told me to come here, so I came.”

His confidence was obvious as he said, “I’ve got a job to do. I’m here to help this team win.”

Becoming the Reds’ Closer

Eastwick struggled after his recall, posting a 5.93 ERA by July 1, 1975. Pitching coach Larry Shepard challenged him to stop guiding the ball and just “turn it loose.”

The breakthrough came on July 24 at Shea Stadium against the New York Mets. Entering a 2-1 game with runners on first and second and two outs in the ninth, Eastwick struck out Dave Kingman with three fastballs.

“I stair-stepped him,” Eastwick explained. “A low fastball, a higher fastball, and a high fastball.”

The 24-year-old teamed up with fellow rookie Will McEnaney, a 23-year-old lefty. Together, they anchored manager Sparky Anderson’s bullpen strategy.

Anderson, nicknamed “Captain Hook” for his quick hook with starters, leaned heavily on both young arms.

Dominant 1975 and 1976 Seasons

Eastwick’s 1975 season ended with a 5-3 record, 22 saves, and a 2.60 ERA in 58 games. His 22 saves tied him with St. Louis’s Al Hrabosky for the National League lead.

He finished 40 games and placed second to Hrabosky for the NL Fireman of the Year award.

The 1976 season was Eastwick’s best. He put up an 11-5 record with a 2.09 ERA in 107⅔ innings over 71 games.

His league-leading 26 saves earned him the Fireman of the Year award, and he finished fifth in Cy Young voting.

Eastwick became the first pitcher to lead the league in saves in his first two major league seasons since Gordon Maltzberger in 1943-44. His dominance helped the Reds roll through the regular season and playoffs, capturing their second straight World Series title.

1975 World Series Contributions

Eastwick nearly won 1975 World Series MVP honors before a dramatic turn of events. He pitched in Games Two through Five, allowing just one run in seven innings while recording two wins and one save.

With Cincinnati leading Boston three games to two, sportswriters had already voted him the MVP. In Game Six, the Reds led 6-3 entering the bottom of the eighth.

Eastwick came in with two runners on and struck out Dwight Evans, then retired Rick Burleson. With two outs and a 2-2 count on pinch-hitter Bernie Carbo, Eastwick fired a fastball that Carbo launched into the center-field bleachers.

The three-run homer tied the game and erased both Cincinnati’s lead and Eastwick’s MVP award. Carlton Fisk’s walk-off home run four innings later forced a seventh game.

Eastwick didn’t pitch in Game Seven, but celebrated as the Reds won 4-3 to capture their first title since 1940.

Later MLB Career: Trades and Transitions

After establishing himself as one of baseball’s top closers with Cincinnati, Eastwick’s career veered in a different direction as he bounced between teams.

From 1977 to 1981, he played for five different organizations, dealing with contract disputes and declining performance.

St. Louis Cardinals and Doug Capilla Trade

The Reds traded Eastwick to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 15, 1977, for minor-league pitcher Doug Capilla. This move happened after contract talks broke down between Eastwick and Cincinnati management.

Eastwick’s time in St. Louis was rough. He struggled with consistency and posted a disappointing 4.70 ERA across 41 games.

He went 3-7 with only four saves, a big drop from his dominant Reds years. The Cardinals stint lasted just one season.

Eastwick stayed determined to become a free agent at the end of 1977. When he returned to Cincinnati in a Cardinals uniform, fans who once cheered him now booed loudly.

New York Yankees Tenure

At the 1977 winter meetings in Hawaii, Eastwick signed a five-year, $1.1 million contract with the New York Yankees. Super-agent Jerry Kapstein negotiated the deal, making Eastwick one of baseball’s highest-paid relievers.

The signing confused a lot of people. The Yankees already had Sparky Lyle, the 1977 American League Cy Young winner, and had just signed Goose Gossage.

Owner George Steinbrenner got warnings about Eastwick’s arm troubles but signed him anyway.

Eastwick’s Yankees career just never got off the ground. He appeared in only eight games, mostly in low-pressure spots.

Manager Billy Martin never really gave him a chance, maybe because Steinbrenner had pushed for him.

On June 14, 1978, the Yankees traded Eastwick to Philadelphia for outfielders Bobby Brown and Jay Johnstone. The deal happened barely six months after his big signing.

Philadelphia Phillies and National League Stints

Eastwick felt genuinely excited about joining the Philadelphia Phillies. Growing up in nearby Haddonfield, New Jersey, he’d rooted for the team as a kid.

“I lived and died with the Phillies as a boy,” he said, admitting regret about not signing with them originally.

Despite the hometown connection, Eastwick’s performance stayed inconsistent. He pitched in 73 games over two seasons (1978-1979) with PHI, recording six saves and a 4.61 ERA.

Veterans Tug McGraw and Ron Reed handled most of the high-leverage situations.

His Phillies tenure did have one memorable moment. On a windy day at Wrigley Field in May 1979, Eastwick delivered a solid performance that briefly reminded fans of his championship years with Cincinnati.

Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs

Eastwick wrapped up his MLB journey bouncing between the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs. As a veteran pitcher, he tried to squeeze a little more out of his career even as his skills faded.

He didn’t spend much time in Kansas City, and honestly, it barely registered. The Royals put him on the mound only occasionally, chasing their own championship dreams. His fastball just wasn’t what it used to be, so he mostly pitched in low-pressure situations.

The Chicago Cubs ended up as Eastwick’s last stop in the majors. By 1981, he was 30, and those dominant days felt like a distant memory. His arm, which had already given him trouble during his Yankees stint, finally gave out.

In spring training 1982, teams let him go before Opening Day. That was it for his professional baseball career. Oddly enough, the Yankees still owed him a year on his guaranteed contract, which just underscored how quickly things changed for him.

Pitching Style and On-Field Legacy

Rawly Eastwick earned his reputation as a dominant closer with a blazing fastball and a ton of confidence. He led the National League in saves twice and finished with a 3.31 ERA over eight seasons.

Signature Pitches and Approach

Eastwick leaned heavily on his fastball, throwing it with confidence and accuracy. Manager Sparky Anderson once said Eastwick had a “here-it-is-and-now-try-to-hit-it” attitude.

At 6-foot-3, he liked to go right after hitters instead of trying to fool them. He just threw strikes and trusted his stuff. During a showdown with Dave Kingman at Shea Stadium in July 1975, Eastwick challenged him with three straight fastballs, each one a little higher than the last.

He could come off as a bit cocky, but that confidence really set him apart. Eastwick always said he didn’t let negative thoughts creep in, and he figured that attitude rattled hitters. He claimed he never felt nervous or scared about anything on the field.

Eastwick barely did anything special to take care of his arm. He didn’t let anyone mess with it, either. That low-maintenance approach actually worked for him during his best years in Cincinnati.

Notable Statistics: ERA, Saves, and Accolades

Eastwick’s best numbers came in his first two seasons with Cincinnati. He led the National League in saves both years, notching 22 in 1975 and 26 in 1976.

As a rookie in 1975, he posted a 2.60 ERA over 58 games. He topped that in 1976, with a 2.09 ERA and an 11-5 record in 71 appearances. No pitcher had led the league in saves in his first two seasons since Gordon Maltzberger back in 1943-44.

Key Career Statistics:

• Career ERA: 3.31
• Total Saves: 68
• Strikeouts: 295
• Wins: 28

He finished fifth in Cy Young voting in 1976 and picked up the National League Fireman of the Year award. In 1975, he placed third for Rookie of the Year. He also helped the Reds win two World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.

Comparisons with Contemporary Closers

Eastwick came up during the rise of the specialized closer, alongside names like Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage. In 1975, his 22 saves tied him with St. Louis’s Al Hrabosky for the National League lead.

Hrabosky took home the Fireman of the Year that season, but Eastwick’s numbers stacked up well. Both guys were part of that new wave of power closers who took over the late 1970s.

After his trade from Cincinnati, Eastwick’s career went in a different direction. Arm problems slowed him down, while Lyle and Gossage kept going strong into their thirties. Eastwick’s prime, though, really only lasted those two seasons.

Still, at his best, he could go toe-to-toe with any closer from that era. His mix of velocity and swagger made him one of the most intimidating relievers in baseball during 1975 and 1976.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Rawly Eastwick walked away from pro baseball after the 1981 season, closing the book on seven years in the majors. He found a second act in commercial real estate, building a new career while staying in touch with baseball communities.

Decision to Retire Following the 1981 Season

Eastwick decided to retire after the 1981 season at 31. That year, he bounced around a few teams, trying to recapture the dominance he had in the mid-1970s.

He’d once led the league in saves with the Big Red Machine, but by 1981, he just couldn’t get back to that level.

By the end of his career, he’d pitched for six different teams. The relief pitcher suited up for the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago Cubs.

Transition to Commercial Real Estate

After he retired, Eastwick jumped into commercial real estate. That was a huge shift from life as an athlete to the business world.

He had to pick up new skills in property management, sales, and working with clients. His background as a professional athlete helped him handle pressure and connect with all sorts of people.

Commercial real estate gave Eastwick the kind of stability baseball couldn’t. He built long-term relationships and got to know the ins and outs of property markets. For decades after baseball, this new career became his main focus.

Legacy in Baseball Communities

Eastwick stayed connected to baseball communities after he retired. He contributed to the 1975 and 1976 Cincinnati Reds teams, and in 1976, Sporting News named him NL Fireman of the Year. That honor really locked in his place in franchise history.

He led the league in saves for two straight years, something no other Red has managed. In the 1975 World Series, he picked up two wins and a save—those moments still pop up in baseball conversations.

Baseball historians and fans still talk about what Eastwick brought to the sport. He played a key role on Cincinnati’s championship teams, so his legacy sticks with the organization and the Big Red Machine faithful.