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

Ted Tappe didn’t spend long in the big leagues—just five seasons—but made a splash right from his very first pitch. Born in Seattle, Washington in 1931, Tappe broke into Major League Baseball at just 19 with the Cincinnati Reds on September 14, 1950. His career only covered 34 games with two teams, but you can’t say it wasn’t interesting.

Ted Tappe retired from Major League Baseball in 1955, playing his last game on May 29 with the Chicago Cubs. He finished with five home runs in only 58 at-bats. Stepping away at 24, he joined a rare group of players who both debuted as teenagers and retired before their prime. His short stint in the majors still included some pretty cool moments and an unusual path through the sport.

Let’s dig into Ted Tappe’s baseball story, from his early days in Seattle and high school success to that quick but memorable major league run. We’ll look at his stats, his background, and what led him to call it quits so early.

Ted Tappe’s Baseball Career Overview

Ted Tappe spent three seasons in the majors from 1950 to 1955. He started out with the Cincinnati Reds as a teenager and wrapped up with the Chicago Cubs. In total, he picked up 15 hits and 5 home runs in 34 games.

Major League Debut and Final Game

On September 14, 1950, Ted Tappe made his big league debut at just 19. He became the 10,746th player in major league history to appear in a game.

He got his first shot as a pinch-hitter against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Tappe immediately made noise, smashing a home run off Erv Palica in his very first at-bat.

That debut brought him 1 hit, 1 home run, and 1 RBI. It set the tone for what would be one of the high points of his short career.

Tappe played his last major league game on May 29, 1955, at 24 years old. He wore a Chicago Cubs uniform for that final appearance.

His career stretched nearly five years, but he only got into 34 games.

Teams Played For in MLB

Tappe suited up for two big league teams. The Cincinnati Reds brought him up in 1950 and 1951, and he played 11 games for them.

With Cincinnati, he managed 2 hits in 8 at-bats. That left him with a .250 average and one home run for the Reds.

In October 1954, the Reds traded him to the Chicago Cubs. Jim Bolger and Harry Perkowski went to Chicago along with Tappe, while Johnny Klippstein and Jim Willis went the other way.

Tappe played his last major league season with the Cubs in 1955. He appeared in 23 games, putting up his best numbers—13 hits in 50 at-bats.

He hit .260 with Chicago and belted 4 home runs that year.

Notable Career Highlights

Tappe’s biggest moment? That home run in his very first big league at-bat. Not many players pull that off.

His best year, statistically, was 1955 with the Cubs. He hit .260 with 4 home runs and 10 RBIs in just 23 games.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 34
• At-bats: 58
• Hits: 15
• Home runs: 5
• RBIs: 11
• Batting average: .259

Even with limited chances, Tappe showed some pop. Five home runs in 58 at-bats isn’t bad at all.

Teams used him mostly as a pinch-hitter and right fielder. At 6’3” and 185 pounds, he had the size for the outfield back then.

He kept playing in the minors until 1961, so baseball stuck with him for a while.

1955 Season and Retirement

Ted Tappe’s last big league season happened with the Cubs in 1955. He played 23 games before hanging up his spikes at just 24.

Performance with Cincinnati Redlegs

Tappe didn’t play for the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1955. His time with Cincinnati came earlier, in 1950 and 1951.

He made his MLB debut on September 14, 1950, at 19. That first game? One at-bat, one hit, and it was a home run—plus an RBI.

The outfielder from Seattle showed some promise. He stood 6’3” and weighed 185, hit lefty, and threw righty.

After Cincinnati, Tappe spent time in the minor leagues before the Cubs called him up in 1955.

1955 Game-by-Game Breakdown

Tappe’s 1955 season with the Cubs ran from Opening Day until May 29, his final game. He got into 23 contests in what would be his last MLB go-round.

Home vs. Road Performance:

Tappe hit better at home, posting a .270 average and a .448 on-base percentage. On the road, his average dropped to .230.

He split his four home runs evenly between home and away games. His slugging was .486 at home and .692 on the road, which is kind of wild for such a small sample.

He walked 11 times and struck out 11 times in those 23 games. Pitchers hit him twice at home.

Retirement Announcement and Context

Ted Tappe retired suddenly during the 1955 season. He played his last big league game on May 29, when he was just 24.

The timing hints that he stepped away due to performance or maybe team decisions, rather than injury. He didn’t get much playing time, and his results were a bit up and down.

In his MLB career, Tappe finished with a .259 average over 34 games. He hit five home runs and drove in 11 runs.

He played parts of five seasons from 1950 to 1955, but didn’t appear in the majors in 1952 or 1954. That probably means he spent a good chunk of time in the minors.

After baseball, Tappe went back to Washington. He passed away in Wenatchee, Washington, on February 13, 2004, at 73.

Statistical Performance

Ted Tappe’s major league career covered 34 games with the Reds and Cubs. He hit .259 and flashed some power, even though he didn’t get many chances.

Career Batting Statistics

Tappe put up a .259 batting average in his 34 big league games. He collected 15 hits in 58 at-bats, showing he could make contact when he played.

His power numbers jumped out for such a short stint. Tappe hit 5 home runs and drove in 11 runs, scoring 13 times. Most of this came as a pinch hitter or off the bench.

He showed some patience at the plate, drawing 11 walks and striking out 11 times. That even split is pretty rare. His on-base percentage hit .364 thanks to his eye.

Key Career Numbers:

• Games: 34
• At-bats: 58
• Hits: 15
• Home runs: 5
• RBIs: 11
• Runs: 13
• Batting average: .259

Fielding and Positions Played

Teams used Tappe mostly as an outfielder and sometimes at first base. His 6’3″, 185-pound frame fit both spots.

He hit left-handed and threw right-handed, which gave him some flexibility in the outfield. Most of his big league time came in right field, where his arm helped out.

The Cubs gave him some innings at first base in 1955. His size helped him dig out throws from the infield.

Season-by-Season Analysis

Tappe’s 1950 debut with Cincinnati happened on September 14, when he was just 19. He didn’t get many at-bats, as the Reds wanted to see what he had.

In 1951, he played a similar role, mostly coming off the bench as a pinch-hitter.

1955 was his busiest season, with the Cubs. He played 23 games, 14 at home and 9 on the road. At home, he hit .270 with a .448 OBP. On the road, he hit .230 but slugged .692—not bad at all.

He finished his career on May 29, 1955 against Milwaukee. He went 1-for-2 with an RBI in his finale.

Early Life and Athletic Background

Ted Tappe’s baseball journey started in the Pacific Northwest. He learned the game in Seattle, then moved to Bremerton for high school. His early years built the foundation for a shot at the majors.

High School and College Achievements

Tappe attended Bremerton High School in Bremerton, Washington, where he sharpened his baseball skills. That school gave him a good base to grow as an outfielder.

At 6’3” and 185 pounds, Tappe already looked the part. Batting left-handed and throwing right-handed gave him some extra versatility.

We don’t have a lot of detailed high school stats, but he played well enough to get noticed by pro scouts. Those years in Washington set him up for a jump to pro ball.

The Pacific Northwest baseball scene in the 1940s was competitive. Playing at Bremerton High gave Tappe the fundamentals he’d need later on.

Path to Professional Baseball

Tappe signed as an amateur free agent at 19, skipping college and going straight to pro ball. That move paid off when he made his major league debut on September 14, 1950.

The Cincinnati Reds saw his potential and brought him into their system. His first big league game came against the Brooklyn Dodgers, and he made an immediate splash.

In that debut, Tappe got one at-bat and made it count—a home run and an RBI. Scouts had pegged him as a power threat, and he proved it right away.

He made the jump from amateur to pro ball quickly. Tappe’s ability to handle the big leagues at such a young age showed he had the instincts and preparation for the game.

Personal Life and Legacy

Ted Tappe’s story didn’t end with baseball. He built a legacy that stretched beyond his short major league run, leaving a mark on his hometown and the broader sports community. His debut home run and athletic versatility still get remembered as part of baseball’s rich history and local lore.

Life After Baseball

Ted Tappe ran into major hurdles after his baseball career when a stubborn injury cut things short. Doctors in 1955 just couldn’t fix the damage, no matter how hard they tried.

Once he left professional baseball, Tappe moved back to Washington. He picked Wenatchee as his home and stayed there until he passed away on February 13, 2004, at age 73.

Even before he turned pro, Tappe had already made a name for himself as a standout multi-sport athlete. He played football in high school and college, and honestly, he was pretty impressive.

He also played basketball in college, showing just how versatile he was. Not everyone can pull off that kind of athletic range.

At Washington State University, Tappe’s athletic prowess really stood out on the baseball field. He helped his team reach the 1950 College World Series.

Cincinnati Reds scouts saw him play and, clearly impressed, signed him as an amateur free agent on the very last day of the tournament.

Impact on the Game

Ted Tappe carved out a unique spot in baseball history as one of only three teenagers to hit a home run in their first major league at-bat. That wild moment happened on September 14, 1950, when he pinch-hit against Brooklyn’s Erv Palica.

People still talk about his debut performance. At just 19, Tappe made the most of his first shot, creating a story that stuck around long after he left the game.

Tappe only played 34 games, but his numbers were solid. He kept up a .259 batting average with 5 home runs and 11 RBIs in 58 at-bats.

He showed real power in his final season with the Chicago Cubs in 1955. That year, he put up a .540 slugging percentage in 50 at-bats.

He did all that at 24, which makes you wonder what he could’ve done without that career-ending injury.

Recognition and Remembrance

People still remember Ted Tappe through “The Legend of Ted Tappe,” a tribute to his impact on baseball. This story reminds everyone he was more than just a quick blip in the majors.

Back in Bremerton, Washington, Tappe became a local legend for his athletic feats. His multi-sport success at Bremerton High School made him a local hero before he ever played pro ball.

Bremerton still celebrates Tappe as one of its top athletes. He stood out in several sports, and his one-of-a-kind baseball achievement locked in his spot in the town’s sports history.

Tappe’s short but unforgettable major league career keeps inspiring young athletes. The idea of a teenager stepping into the majors and making an instant impact? That’s the kind of story that sticks with fans and kids dreaming of their own shot.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Ted Tappe’s finances pretty much matched what you’d expect from players of baseball’s pre-expansion era. His three-year stint in the majors didn’t bring in much, but he kept playing in the minors through 1961.

Earnings from Baseball

Tappe didn’t make much by today’s standards. He played just 34 games over three seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs.

Back in the early 1950s, rookie players usually made between $5,000 and $7,500 a season. With his limited time on the field, Tappe probably earned closer to the lower end of that range.

His 58 career at-bats happened across several seasons, so he only got partial salaries. Most of his pay came from his debut in 1950 and his last run with Chicago in 1955.

Minor league pay was even less. The top minor leaguers pulled in about $300-500 a month during the season.

Tappe played in different minor league systems from 1950 until 1961, using that to help boost his income.

When Cincinnati traded him to Chicago in October 1954, Tappe got his best shot. His .540 slugging percentage in 50 at-bats with the Cubs in 1955 marked his most productive season, both on the field and financially.

Other Professional Endeavors

There’s really not much out there about what Tappe did after baseball. Like a lot of guys from his era, he probably needed to find other ways to make a living since baseball didn’t exactly pay the bills back then.

Most players in the 1950s took on off-season jobs. You’d find them working in sales, doing manual labor, or running small businesses around town.

Tappe moved back to Washington state once he hung up his cleats. He passed away in Wenatchee, Washington in 2004 at 73, so it seems like he kept close to his roots in the Pacific Northwest.

No big headlines or post-baseball stories popped up about him, which probably means he just wanted a quieter life away from the game. A lot of his peers did the same, picking regular jobs instead of sticking around as coaches or scouts.

His 11-year professional career happened mostly in the minors, bringing in a steady—if not flashy—paycheck through the 1950s.