He played in Major League Baseball from 1978 through 1989 for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Minnesota Twins.

Rawley graduated in 1973[2] and enrolled at Indian Hills Community College (IHCC) for the 1973–1974 academic year.

[7] On April 1, 1982, the Mariners traded Rawley to the New York Yankees for Bill Caudill, Gene Nelson, and a player to be named later.

[10] On June 30, 1984, the Yankees traded Rawley to the Philadelphia Phillies for Marty Bystrom and Keith Hughes.

[11] Rawley was named to the 1986 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and finished the season with 11 wins and a 3.54 ERA.

[12] In 1987 he finished the year as the Phillies ace, compiling a 17-11 record with a 4.39 ERA, leading the National League in games started.

[3] In the 1980s, Rawley contributed to the building of a softball complex in Yorkville, Wisconsin, and co-owned it for several years before selling his share.