Rawley began his MLB career as a relief pitcher with the Mariners and became a starting pitcher with the Yankees. He was selected to the National LeagueAll-Star team in 1986 as a member of the Phillies. The next year, he won a career-high 17 games, leading the NL in games started with 36. In his major league career, Rawley had a 111–118 win–loss record with 991 strikeouts and a 4.02 earned run average (ERA).
Rawley made his major league debut with the Mariners in April 1978. He pitched as a setup reliever[6] and had a 7–7 win–loss record and 13 saves in the 1980 season.[7] He broke his foot in January 1981 and struggled when he returned.[8] He had a 0–3 with a 4.41 earned run average at the time of the 1981 MLB strike.[7] On April 1, 1982, the Mariners traded Rawley to the New York Yankees for Bill Caudill, Gene Nelson, and a player to be named later. On April 6, the Yankees sent Bobby Brown to Seattle to complete the trade.[9] The Yankees transitioned Rawley into a starting pitcher in July 1982 and he had a 11–10 win–loss record as a starter. After the 1982 season, the Yankees signed Rawley to a four-year contract.[10]
After the 1988 season, the Phillies traded Rawley and cash considerations to the Minnesota Twins for Tom Herr, Eric Bullock, and Tom Nieto.[14] In 1989, he had a 5–12 record and a 5.21 ERA[15] and became a free agent after the season.[16] Rawley signed with the Boston Red Sox for the 1990 season,[15] but they released him at the end of spring training.[17] He completed his major league career with a 111–118 record, a 4.02 ERA, 991 strikeouts, and 40 saves.[3]
Personal life
In the 1980s, Rawley contributed to the building of a softball complex in Yorkville, Wisconsin, and co-owned it for several years before selling his share.[18]
Rawley was inducted into the Racine County Sports Hall of Fame in 2011[2] and the IHCC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.[3]
After retiring from baseball, he has owned Shaner's Pizzeria in Sarasota, Florida, since August 2011.[19][20] In 2023, he published a novel about a baseball player who fought in the Vietnam War.[21]