Kevin Tapani - Class of 2007

(Escanaba)

A pitcher for five Major League baseball teams in a 13-year career, Kevin Tapani compiled a 143-125 record with a 4.35 ERA.  He helped the Minnesota Twins win the 1991 World Series by beating Atlanta in Game Two and also pitched for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs.   He beat every Major League team except the Cubs and Tampa Bay, the only teams he never faced.  Tapani hit two home runs, including a grand slam.  He started 354 of the 361 games he pitched, posting nine shutouts and 26 complete games.  A savvy pitcher who relied on excellent control (2.4 walks a game) in 2,265 innings.   Tapani spent four years pitching for Central Michigan University, going 43-16 with a no-hitter, and was drafted by the Oakland A's in 1986.  He was quarterback of Escanaba High School's Class A state championship football team in 1981.