He won 18 games in the Class D Wisconsin State League in his first season and began a steady rise through the Detroit farm system.

However, a shoulder injury[2] suffered early in the 1961 campaign derailed Bruce as he sought to cement a place in the Tigers' starting rotation.

He was Houston's hard-luck losing pitcher that day, surrendering a two-run, third-inning home run to Dick Allen, as the visiting Philadelphia Phillies prevailed, 2–1.

During the off-season, the Astros included him in a trade to the Atlanta Braves for Eddie Mathews, the future Baseball Hall of Fame third baseman then in the twilight of his career.

[7] In an MLB career that encompassed all or parts of nine years, Bruce compiled a 49–71 win–loss record, with 26 complete games (in 167 starts), six shutouts and one save.