A versatile hard-thrower, Crawford filled various relief roles coming out from the bullpen, as a closer or middle reliever, serving as an emergency starter as well. He reached the majors in 1980 with the Boston Red Sox, spending seven years with them before moving to the Kansas City Royals (1989–91). His most productive season came in 1985 with the Red Sox, when he set career-numbers in wins (6), saves (12), strikeouts (58) and innings pitched (91.0). During the 1986 postseason, he went 2–0, including a win in Game 2 of the World Series; he did this despite going winless during the 1986 regular season. He also had three decent years with Kansas City, winning 11 games and averaging 60.0 innings of work in each season.