Spencer Bivens has one of the more inspirational stories in the Major Leagues. Bivens, entering into his second season in the MLB, is a relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. Bivens grew up in Boalsburg, eventually getting a tattoo of a red star in the center of a Pennsylvania outline to signify the importance of the State College area.
In his major league debut, Bivens registered three innings, only allowing one hit and one run and striking out four batters in front of a sellout crowd on Father’s Day, June 16, 2024. Bivens ended up earning his first career victory on this date. Ultimately, Bivens finished his rookie campaign appearing in 27 games, with two starts. He ended the season with a earned run average of 3.14, well below the 2024 MLB average of 4.07, as well as racking up 48.2 innings pitched, 37 strikeouts to only 11 walks, and his first career save in his final outing of the season.
Things were not always this smooth for Bivens, as he wound up playing Division II college baseball after failing a drug test on the Penn State baseball team. From there, he began his professional career in Europe before bouncing around the Pacific and Atlantic on minor league teams for years. This led Bivens to make his MLB debut at 29 years old, five years older than the average MLB rookie.
Now, Bivens has solidified himself as a solid pitcher in the MLB and also as a beam of hope for baseball players in the State College area. For junior Max Herncane, “it gives you something to strive for everyday, because someone you know, that is close to you, has made it so far.”
Herncane has a personal connection to Bivens from their brothers playing together. “He’s just always been someone to look up to at baseball,” Herncane said. “Just his will to win … all of the obstacles that he has gone through, its just like, super inspiring to see, especially from someone around you.”
Herncane also talked about Bivens work ethic in the gym. “He is the first one in, he is the last one out,” Herncane said. “He is doing everything you can think of, from a pitching perspective in the weight room.”
David Williams, Bivens’ high school baseball coach, added on some nice things about Bivens. “He has a passion for the game of baseball, he has a passion for his teammates, and he has a positive outlook on life,” Williams said.
Williams went further into how he impacted the State High community and team.
“It gives them encouragement, motivation and hope that they need. Not just because he is playing at the big leagues, but like I said before … He has been at every step of the journey, from being cut and making the team, to playing at a high level,” Williams said.
Williams also talked about his leadership skills, describing him as a “little bit of both,” explaining “people are going to notice how he plays and how he handles himself” on how he shows his physical leadership skills, but also describes his social leadership skills as being “very engaging, very social.”
Williams said he thinks Bivens emerged particularly in his senior year in high school when he got into a leadership role.
“He wanted to go and leave his legacy as a player on the field but also off the field you know with our team in the locker room on the bus trips he really shined and you know, became a positive influence on the team, a motivator, encouraged others,” Williams said.
Bivens made the Giants’ 2025 opening day roster and will look to continue helping the Giants’ bullpen.
