Dave Dravecky is a former professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, Dravecky represented the Padres at the All-Star game in 1983, his second season, in which he won 14 games. Equally proficient as a starter and coming out of the bullpen, Dravecky helped the Padres to their first pennant the following year.
He played Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. Over his first six seasons, Dravecky had a 60-55 win–loss record. On July 4, 1987, the San Francisco Giants acquired Dravecky for their pennant drive. He went 7–5 during the stretch, and in the playoffs pitched a shutout in Game 2 against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won in seven games. Dravecky is a devout catholic and started studying the bible during his professional career. Cancer temporarily ended his career, while the Giants were reaching the 1989 World Series. He would go on to make a major comeback and make it back to the majors.
He won the Hutch Award in 1989. As of 2021, Davecky is a motivational speaker, inspiring others with his comeback story. He has written a few motivational books about his faith and comeback.
