[1] Head was notable for a number of reasons, one of them was the physical challenges he overcame to become a major league baseball player.

A natural left-handed pitcher, at the age of 15, Head was involved in a vehicle accident that killed his girlfriend and almost resulted in the amputation of his left arm.

[2][3] Head joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940 and after compiling a record of 1–2, was sent back to the minor leagues for additional development.

In 1943, he was not as effective, his record was 9–10, but he recovered in 1944 starting the season 4–3 with a career low ERA of 2.70 before he entered the Army to fulfill his service obligation.

[1] After serving in the Army and not pitching in the majors for most of 1944 and all of 1945,[5] Head no-hit the Boston Braves 5–0 at Ebbets Field on April 23, 1946, in his first start of the season.