El Tappe – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Elvin Walter Tappe, or just El Tappe, quietly wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1962 after eight seasons behind the plate for the Chicago Cubs. His name never landed in the Hall of Fame, but this defensive-minded catcher from Quincy, Illinois, definitely left a lasting mark on baseball history thanks to his role in one of the sport’s oddest experiments.

Tappe’s career batting average sat at .207 with zero home runs, but that’s only part of his story. His real value came from his outstanding defensive skills and his central spot in the Cubs’ controversial College of Coaches system. Born on May 21, 1927, Tappe knew he wasn’t much of a hitter, but he leaned into his strengths as a handler of pitchers and field general. In December 1960, he suggested the rotating coaching system that owner Philip K. Wrigley turned into a bold, if unusual, attempt to change baseball management.

From his early days playing American Legion baseball to his last season in the majors, Tappe’s journey shows how a player can squeeze every bit out of his talent while shaping one of baseball’s most talked-about organizational experiments. His career bridged the gap between old-school baseball and the modern era, offering a window into player development, team management, and the evolution of the catcher position in the 1950s and early ’60s.

Early Life and Background

Elvin Walter Tappe was born on May 21, 1927, in Quincy, Illinois. He grew up in a tight-knit German-American family that really shaped his character and athletic drive.

During high school, Tappe showed off leadership skills in several sports. His college education and time in the military set him up for a shot at pro baseball.

Family and Upbringing

Elvin Walter Tappe grew up in Quincy, Illinois, a Mississippi River city of about 45,000. His parents, Walter Emil Tappe and Marie Sophia “Mamie” Bronestine Tappe, raised three kids in their west central Illinois home.

El had two siblings:

• Winona (born 1920)
• Melvin (his twin brother)

Walter Tappe worked as a wood finisher before joining the Quincy Board of Education, sticking with them until he retired around 1958. The Tappe family had deep roots in Quincy, with at least two generations calling it home.

Baseball grabbed El’s attention early. He started playing at age 5 or 6. Even though Quincy sits 312 miles from Chicago, young El became a die-hard Cubs fan.

His twin brother Melvin also chased baseball, pitching nine seasons in the minors from 1947 to 1955.

Education and Athletics at Quincy High School

El Tappe stood out as an athlete and student leader at Quincy High School. He served as student council president, while Melvin was vice president.

Their leadership didn’t stop at student government. They got involved in athletics and academics too.

In basketball, El played guard on the squad that finished third in the 1945 Illinois state tournament. Teammate Don Bickhaus once said, “El was the better shooting guard of the two boys. The Tappe boys were both super nice, real leaders in all affairs.”

El’s high school highlights:

• Student council president
• National Honor Society member
• High school band twirler
• School chorus singer
• Rotary Club representative

El and Melvin convinced the school superintendent to start a baseball team. Their push led to Quincy High School’s first baseball team, which finished third in the state in spring 1945.

The twins formed one of Illinois’ best catcher-pitcher combos at the high school level.

Quincy University and Military Service

After graduating in 1945, El enlisted in the Navy for a 16-month stint. While stationed at Mare Island, he played baseball for the Marines’ team, keeping his skills sharp during his service.

Once he left the Navy, El enrolled at Quincy College (now Quincy University). He juggled his studies and sports, playing one season of baseball and four seasons of basketball.

His college years gave him both an education and more time to develop as an athlete. El earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Quincy College after four years.

That mix of education, athletics, and military service set him up for his shot at pro baseball. Quincy College was really his last stop before turning pro in 1947.

Professional Baseball Beginnings

El Tappe kicked off his pro baseball career in 1947 with the Henderson Oilers in the Class C Lone Star League, playing alongside his twin brother Melvin. After three seasons in Texas, he joined the New York Yankees organization in 1950, then found his long-term home with the Chicago Cubs in 1951.

Henderson Oilers and Lone Star League

El Tappe and his brother Melvin signed with the unaffiliated Henderson Oilers in the Lone Star League on July 22, 1947. Two days later, the 20-year-old catcher made his pro debut, doubling in a 12-6 loss to Tyler.

His rookie season looked promising—he hit .243 in 27 games. The Oilers finished seventh, 12½ games behind the top team, the Kilgore Drillers.

In 1948, Tappe’s season ended early when he fractured his right ankle sliding home on May 29. Before the injury, he’d been hitting .283 in 30 games.

Tappe bounced back in 1949 with his best minor league season yet. He hit .271 with 20 doubles and made the South team for the league’s all-star game in Marshall, Texas.

Even with modest offensive numbers, his defensive skills stood out. The Tappe twins made a name for themselves as one of the best catcher-pitcher pairs in Texas.

Transition to New York Yankees Organization

The New York Yankees signed Tappe in 1950 and moved him up to Class AA with the Beaumont Roughnecks in the Texas League. He backed up Clint Courtney, playing just 35 games but hitting .286.

A Shreveport sportswriter joked that Tappe’s “single claim to distinction is that of having worn out more pairs of pants of sliding up and down the bench than any other player in Texas League history.”

Once Courtney moved up to Triple-A in 1951, Tappe took over as Beaumont’s main catcher. He hit .244 in 88 games for the fourth-place Roughnecks, managed by Harry Craft.

On June 25, 1951, a pitch from Fort Worth’s Bill Glane hit Tappe in the head, and they carried him off on a stretcher. St. Joseph’s Hospital later said he wasn’t seriously hurt.

Tappe still showed his defensive chops, throwing out four of five base stealers in a single game against Fort Worth on May 5, 1950.

Drafted by Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs picked Tappe in the minor-league draft on December 3, 1951, and gave him a shot at a long-term baseball home. He joined Los Angeles in the Pacific Coast League for the 1952 season.

Tappe hit .211 in 49 games for L.A., playing behind first-string catcher Les Peden. Even though he struggled to hit, local sportswriters praised his defense.

Braven Dyer, a Los Angeles sportswriter, called Tappe “the best receiver of the two” and said he “could catch any kind of a pitch and field like a fiend on bunts and dribblers.”

In 1953, Tappe took over as the main catcher when Peden left for the Washington Senators. He started strong, driving in three runs in the Angels’ opener and hitting .281 in 38 games with 161 error-free chances.

The Cubs called Tappe up to the majors in 1954 after his solid Pacific Coast League showing. His climb from Texas League rookie to major leaguer took seven years of grit.

MLB Playing Career with the Chicago Cubs

El Tappe spent his entire nine-year major league career with the Chicago Cubs from 1954 to 1962. He built a reputation as a defensive specialist behind the plate.

His career, spread over 145 games, featured a .207 batting average. What really kept him in the big leagues was his glove.

Debut and Early Seasons

Tappe made his major league debut on April 24, 1954, in a 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Redlegs at age 26. Cubs manager Phil Cavarretta had already set expectations, saying he didn’t expect Tappe to hit much but called him “definitely ready defensively.”

His rookie season matched that prediction. Tappe hit just .185 in 46 games for the Cubs in 1954. He also spent time with their minor league affiliate Des Moines, where he batted .188 in 23 games.

The 1955 season turned out even tougher at the plate. Tappe played only two games for Chicago before rosters were trimmed in May. He spent most of the year in the minors, searching for his swing.

By 1958, Tappe had carved out a more regular spot with the Cubs. On April 24, he delivered a clutch single that broke a 3-3 tie, hinting at what he could do on offense from time to time.

Role as Catcher

Tappe brought value to the Cubs through his defensive abilities behind the plate. Baseball people consistently praised his receiving, positioning, and knack for working with pitchers.

He stood out for his pitch framing and for getting favorable calls from umpires. Tappe excelled at shifting positions and always gave Cubs pitchers a steady target.

Key Defensive Strengths:

• Excellent pitch framing
• Strong throwing arm to second base
• Smart game management
• Effective communication with pitchers

Bob Scheffing, then manager of the Los Angeles Angels and a former Tappe coach, once said, “If Tappe could hit even .220 or .230 in the National League, he would go down in history alongside the Bill Dickeys and Mickey Cochranes. El is one of the greatest defensive backstops the game has ever known.”

Tappe himself admitted his limits but knew his place. “I probably wouldn’t have made it to the majors if I hadn’t been an outstanding defensive catcher, because I never hit worth a darn,” he said in 1996.

Batting Performance and Statistics

Tappe’s stats at the plate show his struggles in the National League. He finished with a .207 batting average in 145 games for the Cubs, collecting 63 total hits over nine years.

He never hit a home run in the majors and ended with just 17 RBIs. Offensively, he ranked among the weakest-hitting catchers of his time.

Career Offensive Stats:

• Batting Average: .207
• Home Runs: 0
• RBIs: 17
• Total Hits: 63
• Games Played: 145

Tappe tried different ways to hit better, like muscle tests at the University of Illinois and working with Cubs teammate Frank Baumholtz. He even crumbled newspaper into tiny balls to build hand strength in the offseason.

The Cubs saw his offensive limits but kept him around for nearly a decade because of his defense. He really fit the old-school model of a catcher—glove first, bat second.

Coaching and the College of Coaches Era

The College of Coaches was a wild system Cubs owner Philip K. Wrigley rolled out in 1961 and 1962. He scrapped the traditional manager and went with rotating coaches instead.

El Tappe played a central role, acting as one of the rotating head coaches alongside Vedie Himsl, Harry Craft, and Lou Klein.

Concept and Implementation

Philip K. Wrigley announced the College of Coaches in December 1960 after the Cubs finished 60-94, marking their 14th straight year in the second division. The system ditched the usual field manager for a rotating group of coaches.

El Tappe actually pitched the idea of rotating instructors in December 1960, which directly shaped Wrigley’s decision. The owner figured multiple coaches could bring fresh ideas and expertise to help the team.

The system ran during the 1961 and 1962 seasons. Each coach took turns as “head coach” for set stretches, making in-game calls and running day-to-day stuff.

The Cubs kept this odd structure for two full seasons. It stands as one of baseball’s strangest organizational moves in modern times.

Head Coach Responsibilities

El Tappe ended up with a record of 46 wins and 70 losses as a rotating head coach. In 1961, he managed the team to a 42-54 record over 97 games.

The head coach role rotated among the staff, with each coach bringing their own style and approach. Tappe got tossed from games twice during his time as head coach.

His background as a catcher shaped how he managed pitchers and called games. The rotating system made it tough for players to get used to one leader, and they had to adjust to different styles all season.

Key Figures: Vedie Himsl, Harry Craft, Lou Klein

Vedie Himsl took on a main role as one of the rotating coaches in the College of Coaches system. He brought a lot of minor league managing experience to the job.

Harry Craft played a big part too. He’d actually managed Tappe back in 1951 with the Beaumont Roughnecks, which gave the coaching staff some consistency.

Lou Klein rounded out the core group of rotating head coaches. Each coach had their own specialty, whether it was hitting instruction or defensive strategy.

The coaching staff worked together during both seasons. Each coach took turns as the designated head coach.

They tried this collaborative approach to give players well-rounded instruction and leadership.

Retirement from Baseball and Later Life

El Tappe wrapped up his final season in 1962. That marked the end of his eight-year major league career with the Chicago Cubs.

After hanging up his cleats, Tappe stayed close to baseball. He coached and took on scouting roles while also jumping into business in his hometown of Quincy, Illinois.

Last Season and Post-Playing Career

Elvin Walter Tappe finished his playing career after the 1962 season. That year, he pulled double duty as both player and manager during the Cubs’ College of Coaches experiment.

He kept working for the Cubs after he stopped playing. Tappe coached the team in 1963 and helped develop young talent using his defensive know-how.

From 1964 to 1975, Tappe scouted for the Cubs. He traveled around the Midwest looking for promising players.

He spent a total of 28 years with the Cubs organization. That included time as a player, coach, minor-league manager, and scout.

Tappe and his twin brother Melvin also got into broadcasting. They did play-by-play on Quincy, Illinois radio stations for 25 years.

This broadcasting work kept them tied to baseball and let them serve their local community.

Sporting Goods Store and Community Involvement

After his scouting days ended in 1975, El Tappe came back to Quincy full-time. He focused on business and family.

He opened a sporting goods store in his hometown, using his baseball background to help local athletes.

The store turned into a gathering spot for Quincy sports fans. Tappe’s reputation as a former major leaguer brought in customers who trusted his advice.

Running the business let him stay involved in youth baseball. Kids in the area would come to him for tips on technique and equipment.

Tappe stayed active in the Quincy community as he got older. He joined local events and kept in touch with old teammates and baseball friends.

His work in broadcasting with Melvin and the sporting goods business kept him financially steady after his playing days. Both ventures made the most of his baseball experience and popularity in Quincy.

Legacy and Impact on the Game

El Tappe made his biggest mark on baseball through his creative ideas about coaching systems and his 28 years with the Chicago Cubs. His defensive expertise as a catcher and his leadership left a real impression on players and the organization, even after he stopped playing.

Contributions to Chicago Cubs Organization

Tappe made his biggest organizational impact in December 1960. He pitched the idea of a rotating system of instructors, which became the basis for owner Philip Wrigley’s College of Coaches experiment in 1961 and 1962.

The College of Coaches broke from traditional baseball management. Instead of one manager, several coaches rotated as leaders during the season.

Tappe served as one of these rotating leaders, managing 20 games in 1962 and finishing with a 4-16 record.

Even though the experiment didn’t work out, Tappe showed he wasn’t afraid to try new things in baseball operations. He liked to challenge the usual way of doing things, which showed just how much he understood the game.

Tappe’s loyalty to the Cubs stood out. He worked for the team in different roles from 1951 to 1975, including player, coach, and scout.

This long commitment gave the organization some much-needed stability and knowledge during a time of big changes in pro baseball.

Influence as a Catcher and Coach

Tappe’s defensive skills behind the plate got him a lot of respect. In 1956, Los Angeles manager Bob Scheffing called him “one of the greatest defensive backstops the game has ever known.”

His catching abilities went beyond the basics. Tappe was excellent at pitch framing, helping pitchers get strike calls on borderline pitches.

He moved well behind the plate and gave pitchers clear targets.

“I probably wouldn’t have made it to the majors if I hadn’t been an outstanding defensive catcher, because I never hit worth a darn,” Tappe admitted in 1996. His .207 career batting average backs that up.

As a coach, Tappe used his defensive skills to help young catchers develop. He understood the mental side of catching and taught game management and good communication with pitchers.

Tappe always focused on the defensive side of catching. “It used to be a defensive position and if you got a catcher who also could hit, that was great,” he said, and he noticed the position had changed by the 1990s.

Recognition Within Baseball

Tappe made a real impact among baseball professionals, even if the general public never really noticed. When the Pacific Coast League picked him for all-star teams in 1953 and 1956, it was clear other minor league players respected him.

Players and managers often talked about his sharp defensive skills and how smart he was on the field. People valued him as a catcher and game caller, even though he didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard.

The College of Coaches experiment didn’t work out, but it did show that baseball sometimes takes a chance on new ideas, especially when someone like Tappe pushes for them. Not many players get to shape a team’s strategy at the major league level, right?

After he stopped playing, Tappe and his twin brother Melvin broadcast Cubs games together for 25 years in Quincy, Illinois. That gig kept him close to the game and gave him a way to share stories and insight with fans.

He took on all sorts of roles in baseball—player, scout, broadcaster. Through it all, the Cubs and the wider baseball world showed him plenty of respect.