Kurt Bevacqua (pronounced /bɨˈvɑːkwə/; born January 23, 1947 in Miami Beach, Florida) is a former Major League Baseball player. He was chosen in the 12th round of the 1967 draft by the Cincinnati Reds and debuted in the big leagues in 1971 with the Cleveland Indians, ultimately playing for six different teams during his career. His final appearance was in 1985 with the San Diego Padres. Bevacqua was primarily a utility player during his career.

He hit what proved to be the game-winning home run in Game 2 of the 1984 World Series, a three-run shot off Dan Petry. Bevacqua played in all five games of the series, batting a team-high .412 and hitting 2 of the Padres' 3 home runs. The Padres lost to the Detroit Tigers in five games, and to this date, the Game 2 win remains the franchise's lone World Series victory.

Bevacqua is also well known for being the subject of multiple tirades by former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda.^{[citation needed]} Bevacqua was also featured on an episode of FOX's King of the Hill. In the episode he was a ringer brought in to defeat Strickland Propane's softball team.

He also played for the Mayaguez Indians in the Puerto Rican winter league from 1977 to 1981.

Kurt was the 1975 Joe Garagiola/Bazooka Bubble Gum Blowing Champ.

[edit] Sources

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube