Career
He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the 1966 Major League Baseball draft out of Smithtown High School in Smithtown, New York, but did not sign, choosing instead to attend Clemson University. After two seasons at Clemson, he was drafted by the in the first round of the secondary phase of the 1968 Major League Baseball draft, and signed with the club Curtis was called to the majors during his third minor league season, and made his major league debut as a reliever on August 13, 1970 against the Kansas City Royals.
After getting through his first two innings with just one hit and one walk, he loaded the bases, and gave up a grand slam to Editor Kirkpatrick in his third inning of work.
He wouldn"t pitch in the majors again for over a year. When he returned to the BoSox in September 1971, he was used as a starter by manager Eddie Kasko.
He then pitched a complete game victory over the Washington Senators in his final game of the season. Curtis began the 1972 season with the triple A Louisville Colonels, however, was back with the Red Sox by the end of May.
He was traded after the 1973 season with Mike Garman and Lynn McGlothen to the for Reggie Cleveland, Terry Hughes and Diego Seguí.
The Cards were battling the Pittsburgh Pirates for first place in the National League East all season when the Bucs came to Busch Stadium for a three-game set September 23–25, 1974. The Pirates took two of the three with Curtis taking the loss in the second game. Curtis spent three seasons in Saint Louis, going 24-34 with a 3.88 earned run average and 208 strikeouts, mostly as a starter.
After the 1976 season, he was traded to the with Willie Crawford and Vic Harris for Mike Caldwell, John Doctorate"Acquisto and Dave Rader.
Curtis became predominantly a reliever for the first time in his career while with the Giants. He went 17-15 with a 4.45 European Research Area over three seasons with the Giants, in which, he appeared in 116 games.
Curtis played for the from 1977 to 1979. In his first start for the Giants on May 8, 1977, Curtis pitched a 2-hit 10-0 shutout vs the Mets and hit for two singles and a triple.
While playing for the Giants Curtis lived in Foster City, California.
He was converted back to a starter when he signed with the as a free agent for the 1980 season, and emerged as the ace of the staff by the end of the season, going 10-8 with a 3.51 European Research Area for the last place team He began the strike shortened 1981 season as a starter, but after going 0-2 with a 6.30 European Research Area in that role, he was converted to a reliever, and pitched exclusively in that role during the second half of the season when play resumed. Curtis" contract was purchased by the on August 31, 1982 during their playoff drive.
Though he joined his new club in time to be on the post season roster, he did not see any playing time during the 1982 American League Championship Series.
He remained with the Angels through 1984, then retired.
