Joe Heving

Joseph William Heving

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.

• Debut April 29, 1930
• Final Game August 5, 1945
• Born September 2, 1900 in Covington, KY USA
• Died April 11, 1970 in Covington, KY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Brother of Johnnie Heving, Joe Heving pitched 13 years in the big leagues, posting a record of 76-48 (.613 winning percentage) with 63 saves.

Heving began in the minor leagues in 1923 as an outfielder. In 1925 he became a pitcher, and in 1930 Joe made his major league debut with a league-leading 22 games finished for the New York Giants.

During most of his major league career Heving was one of the oldest players in the league. Heving was always primarily a reliever except in 1938 when he started 11 of his 19 games and posted a 9-2 record for Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. He won in double figures for the Red Sox in 1939 and 1940, going 11-3 and 12-7. At age 43 in 1944, Joe pitched 63 games for the Indians to lead the American League, and is still the oldest pitcher to lead his league in games pitched.

The Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia says that Heving was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers in May 1938 after an altercation with Earl Averill. He had previously been with Milwaukee in 1936, going 19-12. He also had an altercation once with Ted Williams. Source: Heving brothers honored

He also played for the 1928 Asheville Tourists. The book I Remember Ted Williams includes a quote from Heving who had played for the St. Paul Saints against Williams when Williams was with the Minneapolis Millers.

Notable Achievements

• AL Games Pitched Leader (1944)

Related Sites

• Joe Heving at the SABR Bio Project