He made his major league debut in the fifth game of the 1964 season,and got a pinch hitsingle in his only at bat.[4] Nonetheless,he was optioned to the triple A Salt Lake City Bees,and would not return to the majors until a September call up in 1966. In two games,he went 0-for-6.
Popovich appeared in 134 games for the Dodgers in 1968,mostly at second base. His first major league home run was a game tying ninth inning blast against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 9.[5] He also had a four hit game against the Houston Astros on May 24.[6] All told,Popovich batted .232 with two home runs and 25 RBIs. Shortly into the 1969 season,the Dodgers traded Popovich and Ron Fairly to the Montreal Expos for Dodgers legend Maury Wills and Manny Mota. The Expos then flipped Popovich back to the Cubs for Jack Lamabe and Adolfo Phillips.
Chicago Cubs
He earned the nickname "Supersub" for his utility work for the Cubs in 1969.[7] He also had a career high .312 batting average,as the Cubs battled the New York Mets for the National League East crown. He remained a supersub for the Cubs through the 1973 season. His best season came in 1971. While he batted a meager .217,he had a career high 28 RBIs,and tied his career high from the previous season with four home runs.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Just as the 1974 season was getting underway,Popovich was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcherTom Dettore. He reached the post season for the only time in his career against his former club,the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Pirates lost to the Dodgers,three games to one,Popovich had an exceptional series. He went 3-for-5 with a run scored.[8] He was released midway through the 1975 season.
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