Robert Frederic Heffner (September 13, 1938 â June 25, 2025), nicknamed "Butch", was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher with the Boston Red Sox (1963âÂÂ1965), Cleveland Indians (1966), and California Angels (1968).
Heffner was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on September 13, 1938. He attended Allentown High School, now William Allen High School, where he graduated in 1957.
On June 12, 1957, Heffner was signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent right out of high school.
Throughout his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Heffner was used both as starter and reliever. His most productive season came in 1964 with the Red Sox, when he posted career-highs in wins (seven, including a shutout), strikeouts (112), saves (six), games (55), and innings ().
Heffner's five-season MLB career totals include an 11âÂÂ21 WâÂÂL record, a 4.51 ERA, and six saves. Overall, he appeared in 114 games, 31 of which were as a starter.
Heffner died on June 25, 2025, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at the age of 86.