Steve Crawfordnull – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Steve Crawford, a right-handed pitcher from Salina, Oklahoma, really made a name for himself as a solid bullpen arm for a few major league teams. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Crawford always brought a big presence to the mound during his 11 years in the majors. He played for the Boston Red Sox and later found some success with the Kansas City Royals. Crawford retired from professional baseball in 1991 after the Royals released him.

Crawford had some memorable moments, especially with the Red Sox. He played a key role in their 1986 American League championship run. His time with the Royals was productive too—he put up a 2.83 ERA and went 3-1 in one of his better seasons there. He never became a household name, but he built a respectable career as a reliable reliever who managers could trust in all kinds of bullpen situations.

Crawford’s pro baseball journey stretched from 1978 to 1991, with his major league career running from 1980 to 1991. He tried to make a comeback after leaving the Royals, but eventually decided to step away from the game after more than a decade of pitching at the sport’s highest level.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Steve Crawford’s path to professional baseball started in Salina, Oklahoma. He grew up as a talented multi-sport athlete before heading off to play baseball in college.

Youth and Education

Steve Crawford grew up in the small town of Salina, Oklahoma, and quickly made a mark as an outstanding athlete. In high school, he didn’t just stand out in baseball—he was a three-sport star, excelling in baseball, basketball, and football.

College recruiters and pro scouts noticed his performances on the diamond. Crawford’s pitching and overall athleticism made him a hot prospect.

By graduation, he had several options on the table. His talent opened doors and set him on the path to a pro baseball career.

College Baseball Career

Crawford’s versatility earned him full scholarships in three sports after high school. Oddly enough, baseball was his third choice at first, but it became the one he’d chase professionally.

He kept honing his pitching skills in college, tweaking his delivery and adding to his pitch mix. Facing tough competition there helped prepare him for what was ahead in pro ball.

In 1978, the Boston Red Sox signed him as a free agent, officially kicking off his professional journey in baseball during the 1970s.

Professional Career Overview

Steve Crawford pitched in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 1991, mostly as a reliable reliever for the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. He lasted 11 seasons during a pretty competitive era.

Major League Debut

Steven Ray Crawford broke into the big leagues on September 2, 1980, with the Kansas City Royals. Born April 29, 1958, in Pryor, Oklahoma, he attended Northeastern State University before jumping into pro ball.

He started out in the minors, pitching for Winston-Salem in the Class-A Carolina League. There, he notched a 9-5 record as a starter, which eventually earned him his shot in the majors.

The Royals mostly used him out of the bullpen, but he started a few games when needed. That flexibility became a theme early in his career.

Teams Played For

Crawford pitched for two major league teams during his 11 years:

• Kansas City Royals (1980-1983)
• Boston Red Sox (1984-1991)

He started with the Royals before the Red Sox traded for him, and he spent most of his career in Boston. There, he became a key bullpen piece during the mid-to-late ’80s.

Crawford’s years with the Red Sox lined up with some strong seasons, including their run to the 1986 World Series. His steady work out of the pen helped stabilize Boston’s pitching staff at the time.

Career Milestones

Crawford’s stats tell the story of a reliable reliever. Over 11 seasons, he pitched in a ton of games and played a role in playoff runs for both the Royals and Red Sox.

His best year came in 1986 with Boston, where he put up strong numbers from the pen and helped the team reach the World Series. Even though the Red Sox lost to the Mets, Crawford made a difference.

Some career highlights:

• 11 seasons in the majors
• Appeared in the 1986 World Series
• Handled both relieving and spot starting
• Posted several winning seasons
• Retired after 1991

Crawford became one of those dependable middle relievers managers leaned on in all sorts of situations.

Pitching Style and Role

Steve Crawford’s 12-year big league career really revolved around his versatility and his steady presence in the bullpen. At 6’5″, Crawford used his size to his advantage on the mound.

Bullpen Contributions

Crawford spent most of his career in the bullpen with the Red Sox and Royals. He could warm up in a hurry, which made him valuable in tight spots.

In Boston, he built a reputation for staying cool under pressure. His best bullpen season came during the 1986 American League pennant run, when he appeared in 54 games.

What set Crawford apart in the pen:

• He controlled his fastball well
• Mixed in effective breaking pitches
• Induced ground balls when it mattered

His career ERA of 4.15 shows he was steady, if not overpowering, in relief roles. He rarely gave up home runs, so managers trusted him in late innings.

Middle Reliever Responsibilities

As a middle reliever, Crawford bridged the gap between starters and closers. He’d usually pitch one to three innings at a time, trying to protect leads or keep games close.

That role demanded versatility. Sometimes he came in with runners on, other times he started a clean inning. His job often included:

• Holding leads in the middle innings
• Eating up innings in blowouts
• Providing long relief when starters struggled

In his final seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Crawford really settled into that middle relief spot. In 1991, his last year, he put up a solid 2.83 ERA even though he didn’t pitch as much.

Crawford didn’t rack up a ton of strikeouts, but he didn’t walk many guys either. He pitched to contact, which worked well in the bigger ballparks of his era.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Steve Crawford played 12 seasons in the majors, from 1980 to 1991, and made meaningful contributions for both the Red Sox and Royals. He handled both starting and relieving, carving out a solid career even if he never became a superstar.

Post-Season Performances

Crawford’s biggest playoff moment came in 1986 with the Red Sox. He pitched in the ALCS against the California Angels, coming up big in relief.

In Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS, with Boston facing elimination, Crawford entered a tough spot and threw scoreless innings that helped the Red Sox stay alive. Boston went on to win the series.

He also pitched in the 1986 World Series against the Mets. The Red Sox lost in seven games, but Crawford’s steady work out of the bullpen showed he could handle the heat.

Notable Games and Records

One of Crawford’s most memorable outings happened on July 9, 1986, when he picked up a key win in relief during Boston’s pennant chase. He always seemed to step up in pressure situations.

He started out with Winston-Salem in the Class-A Carolina League, posting a strong 9-5 record. That early success set him on the path to the majors.

Crawford was durable—he regularly pitched in 30 or more games a season during his prime, proving he was someone managers could rely on over the long haul.

Career Highs

His best season, statistically, came in 1986 with Boston, when he went 7-5 with a solid ERA in relief. That year, he played a big part in helping the Red Sox win the pennant.

Crawford’s career spanned from 1980 to 1991, mostly with the Red Sox and Royals. He racked up over 500 innings pitched in the majors.

He showed good control, rarely walking too many batters. His best strikeout games usually came when he worked multiple innings out of the bullpen, letting him use his stamina and full pitch mix.

Coming from Salina, Oklahoma, Crawford always carried a bit of small-town pride throughout his pro career.

Steve Crawford with the Boston Red Sox

Steve Crawford spent most of his big league career with the Boston Red Sox, working mainly as a dependable reliever. He played in Boston from 1980 to 1987, becoming a versatile bullpen piece during a time of change for the team.

Key Seasons and Impact

Crawford made his MLB debut with the Red Sox on September 2, 1980, after they picked him up in the 14th round of the 1977 amateur draft. Early on, he worked to find his spot in the Boston bullpen.

The 1986 season really stands out for Crawford in Boston. He put up strong numbers as a middle reliever and helped the Red Sox reach the World Series. That year, he appeared in 54 games, mostly in relief, showing he could handle a heavy workload.

Crawford often shared bullpen duties with Bob Ojeda in the early ’80s. He never became a star, but he provided valuable innings and a steady presence for Boston during his time there.

Teammates and Notable Games

Crawford spent his Boston years sharing the clubhouse with several Red Sox legends. He pitched at a time when the team still felt the legacy of players like Tony Conigliaro and Bobby Doerr, bridging different generations of Red Sox baseball.

One of Crawford’s most unforgettable moments happened during the 1986 American League Championship Series against the California Angels. He picked up a crucial win in Game 5, helping keep Boston’s championship hopes alive in that wild comeback.

Crawford built effective bullpen partnerships with guys like Bob Stanley and Calvin Schiraldi. He could handle multiple innings, which made him a real asset in the Red Sox relief corps.

After the 1987 season, Crawford’s time with Boston wrapped up. He moved on to the Kansas City Royals before retiring in 1991 after a decade in the majors.

Tenure with the Kansas City Royals

Crawford joined the Kansas City Royals in 1989 after seven seasons with Boston, finishing his major league career there. His role in Kansas City shifted compared to what he’d done in Boston.

Performance and Role

From 1989 to 1991, Crawford pitched for the Kansas City Royals, mostly as a middle reliever. His workload dropped off compared to his earlier years—his innings pitched totals just weren’t the same.

In his first year with the Royals, 1989, he appeared in plenty of games but couldn’t quite find the consistency he’d shown in Boston. His fastball and breaking pitches stayed in his arsenal, but honestly, they didn’t have quite the same bite.

The 1990 season rolled around and Crawford kept working out of the bullpen, but his appearances became more limited. Manager John Wathan used him in lower-pressure situations, a pretty big change from his Red Sox days.

Crawford pitched his final MLB season in 1991 with the Royals, capping off an 11-year career. After hanging up his cleats, he stayed involved with the Royals, working on pregame and postgame shows for Kansas City’s WDAF radio station.

Interactions with Other MLB Teams and Players

Steve Crawford spent 11 seasons in the majors, pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox. Over those years, he faced a ton of opponents and got to know players all over the league.

Games Against the Yankees and Mets

Crawford squared off against the New York teams plenty of times. Against the New York Mets, he had some memorable outings—mostly in interleague matchups and spring training.

While wearing a Red Sox uniform, Crawford’s games against the Yankees felt like something extra. He came out of the bullpen in several big Boston-New York matchups in the mid-‘80s.

Fans sometimes mixed him up with fellow pitcher Jim Crawford, though they weren’t related. Jim pitched for the Tigers and Astros around the same time.

The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry got intense, and Crawford often entered those games in tight spots with runners on base.

Notable Opponents and Events

Crawford faced plenty of star hitters during his career. He went up against teams like the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers in interleague and exhibition games.

He played in the 1986 World Series with the Red Sox, which stands out as a highlight. Even though Boston lost to the Mets, Crawford stayed on the major-league roster for the entire postseason.

At 6’5″, Crawford had a pretty commanding presence on the mound. That size definitely helped when he faced power hitters from teams like the Cubs and other National League clubs.

After his retirement in 1991, Crawford kept close to the game. He joined other former major leaguers at youth baseball clinics, teaching kids about perseverance and never giving up.

Spring Training and Development

Steve Crawford’s career took shape in large part because of his time during spring training. Those weeks gave him the chance to work on his skills and, honestly, often decided where he’d fit on a roster.

Preparation and Progression

Crawford always approached spring training with a methodical attitude. In his early years with the Phillies, he used those preseason sessions to fine-tune his pitching mechanics and try out new pitches.

Born in Pryor, Oklahoma, Crawford made his major league debut in September 1980, so spring training in 1981 meant a lot—he was fighting for a permanent spot. He put in steady work to improve his control and velocity.

After he joined the Boston Red Sox, where he spent most of his 10 major-league seasons, spring training got even more important. He often had to compete for a bullpen job, so strong springs were a must.

Usually, his spring routine included:

• Showing up early at camp
• Focused bullpen sessions
• Gradually building up his pitch count
• Spending extra time on breaking pitches

Crawford’s last spring training came in 1991, closing out a career that really was all about sticking with it and putting in the work.

Retirement in 1991 and Legacy

Steve Crawford wrapped up his major league career in 1991 after eleven seasons. He shifted from player to coach, drawing on his deep understanding of pitching and his love for the game.

Transition to Life After Baseball

After the Royals let him go in 1991, Crawford faced the familiar challenge pro athletes know—figuring out what comes next. He’d spent his adult life in baseball, debuting with the Red Sox in 1980.

He considered a comeback during the 1995 players’ strike, when teams looked at replacement players, but in the end, he decided not to keep playing.

The 6-foot-5 Oklahoma native put up solid career numbers, including being part of the Red Sox’s 1986 World Series run. That achievement really stands out in his story.

After baseball, Crawford settled into a quieter life, focusing on family and local baseball. He started teaching the game to the next generation, passing along what he’d learned.

Contributions as a Pitching Coach

Crawford put his pro experience to good use as a pitching coach. He understood mechanics and the mental side of pitching, and young players respected his advice.

He worked with several minor league organizations, sharing what he’d picked up with the Red Sox and Royals. His coaching focused on the basics that got him to the majors.

He emphasized:

• Solid mechanics
• Mental preparation
• Smart pitch selection
• How to avoid injuries

His coaching philosophy reflected the changes baseball saw in the 1990s. Crawford blended old-school pitching with modern analytics, but he always stuck to the core principles that worked for him.

Former players often credit Crawford’s patient teaching and detailed knowledge with helping them develop. His legacy isn’t just in his stats—it’s in the pitchers he helped along the way.

Steve Crawford’s Place in Baseball History

Steve Crawford put together a respectable career in the majors, best known for his role with the Boston Red Sox during their 1986 World Series run. He never became one of the most famous players of his era, but his reliability and clutch performances earned him a place in baseball’s memory.

Hall of Fame Consideration

Crawford’s stats don’t really put him in the Hall of Fame conversation. Over 10 seasons, his win-loss record and ERA just didn’t reach the level voters expect for Cooperstown.

Between 1980 and 1991, Crawford played for two teams, with highlights like being part of the 1986 Red Sox squad that made it to the World Series.

Standing 6’5″ and weighing 225 pounds, he brought durability and versatility to various relief roles. Still, without dominant seasons or eye-popping stats, he hasn’t gained any real traction in Hall of Fame talks.

Recognition Among Peers

Crawford earned respect from teammates and opponents alike for how dependable he was out of the bullpen. Honestly, his biggest moment came during the 1986 postseason, when he stepped up and gave Boston some absolutely crucial innings.

Former teammates liked to talk about Crawford’s professionalism and his relentless work ethic. His story—from farm boy to World Series pitcher—really struck a chord with a lot of players who admired his blue-collar attitude.

Crawford always carried his Oklahoma roots with him. He fit the mold of that classic baseball type: the hard-working middle reliever you could trust when things got tense.

He never made an All-Star team, but people inside baseball genuinely valued what he brought to the table. Guys like Crawford—middle relievers who handle the gritty, pressure-filled innings—rarely get the spotlight, but they’re absolutely essential.