[2] The San Diego Padres selected Ivie with the first overall pick in the 1970 Major League Baseball draft as a catcher.

[6] Ivie developed a problem with his blood circulation in his left hand, which cemented his decision to stop catching.

[8] Going into the 1980 season, Ivie was considered the Giants' successor at first base to Willie McCovey upon his retirement, but after an off-season accident with a hunting knife in which he sliced part of his fifth finger from his hand, he was unable to perform and became a bench player.

[14] Ivie then called on Sparky Anderson, manager of the Detroit Tigers, and he was signed to play first base and designated hitter.

[16] Ivie sought to make a comeback and attended a tryout in September 1984 with the Atlanta Braves; they offered him a non-roster invitation to spring training with the team in 1985.