In 1977, after being named the Most Valuable College Player (he went 14–0 for the University of South Carolina), he was drafted 12th overall by the Cubs. This 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), 210 pound pitcher saw moderate success in the minors before making his Major League debut on September 6, 1980 at the age of 24 and wearing #34. In his first game, he pitched six innings, giving up five walks and five hits for the loss. Overall, he went 1–2 with a 2.08 ERA that year. Oddly, in 30+ innings of work, he struck out only five batters.
In 1981, he went 5–7 with a 3.68 ERA in 33 games, 14 started. He had a 4.21 ERA with 11–10 record in 1982, and he struck out only 40 batters in 147+ innings of work. Perhaps the highlight of his 1982 season was the two-hitter he threw against the New York Mets. The hits he gave up were to Ron Hodges.
He only appeared in one game in 1983, starting it. He wore #33 during that game. In 5 innings of work in that August 5 game, he walked four and gave up four hits but still managed to walk away with the no-decision.
Overall in his career, he went 17–19 with a 3.78 ERA in 290+ innings of work. Although he walked only 100 batters, he was definitely not a strikeout pitcher as he struck out only 78. As a batter, he hit .165 in 79 at-bats. He had a .988 career fielding percentage.
