ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi fˈaɪv, wˈɑːdɛl wʌz fˈoːɹ fˈaɪv wɪð ɐ θɹˈiː.ˈeɪɾi ˈeɪt ˌiːˌɑːɹɹˈeɪ ænd nˈaɪn sˈeɪvz ˌaʊɾəv ðə tɹˈaɪbz bˈʊlpɛn wɛn klˈiːvlənd mˈænɪdʒɚ pˈæt kɚɹˈælz kənvˈɜːɾᵻd hˌɪm ˌɪntʊ ɐ stˈɑːɹɾɚ.
In 1985, Waddell was 4–5 with a 3.88 ERA and nine saves out of the tribe's bullpen when Cleveland manager Pat Corrales converted him into a starter.