Tom Tellmann – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Tom Tellmann pitched five seasons in Major League Baseball during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He carved out a solid career as a relief specialist. Born on March 29, 1954, in Warren, Pennsylvania, Tellmann threw right-handed and stood 6-foot-3. He made his mark with three different teams before hanging up his glove in 1985.

Tellmann put together an 18-7 record over 112 games in his MLB career, pitching for the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, and Oakland Athletics. His best seasons came with Milwaukee in 1983 and 1984. He became a valuable bullpen arm and picked up 12 of his 13 career saves during those years.

The pitcher’s journey started at Grand Canyon University, where he played college baseball. His dedication and skill helped him break into baseball’s highest level.

After retiring from professional baseball at 31, Tellmann left a legacy as a dependable relief pitcher. He understood his role and executed it well. His stats, background, and impact in the majors give an interesting look at what it meant to be a journeyman pitcher in the competitive era of the early 1980s.

Tom Tellmann’s Baseball Career Overview

Tom Tellmann pitched in Major League Baseball from 1979 to 1985. He played for three teams during his six-season career.

The right-handed pitcher from Warren, Pennsylvania, made his mark as both a starter and reliever. He played across the National and American Leagues.

MLB Debut and Final Season

Tom Tellmann broke into the majors on June 9, 1979, with the San Diego Padres at age 25. The Padres drafted him in the 11th round of the 1976 draft, 245th overall, after his time at Grand Canyon University.

He spent three years developing in the minors before getting his first call-up in mid-1979. Tellmann worked his way up through the Padres’ farm system.

Tellmann made his final major league appearance on June 2, 1985, with the Oakland Athletics. His career spanned six seasons, though he didn’t play in the majors during 1981 and 1982.

He retired from pro baseball after the 1985 season. Tellmann was 31 when he threw his last pitch in the big leagues.

Teams Played For

Tellmann played for three MLB teams. He spent his first two seasons with the San Diego Padres from 1979 to 1980.

After missing two years of major league action, he joined the Milwaukee Brewers for the 1983 and 1984 seasons. Milwaukee saw his best years, and he posted his top stats there.

The Oakland Athletics signed Tellmann for his final season in 1985. This short stint with Oakland closed out his major league career.

He finished his career with 18 wins, 7 losses, and 94 strikeouts over 112 games.

Position and Playing Style

Tellmann stood 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 195 pounds. He batted and threw right-handed throughout his career.

He worked mainly as a relief pitcher, but he also made some starts. His versatility let him fill multiple roles for his teams.

Tellmann’s best year came in 1983 with Milwaukee. He went 9-4 with 8 saves that season. The next year, he posted a 6-3 record, 4 saves, and a 2.78 ERA.

His most impressive single-season performance happened with San Diego in 1980. He kept a 1.61 ERA over 22⅓ innings, showing he could really shut down hitters.

Notable Achievements and Highlights

Tom Tellmann finished his five-season career with an 18-7 record and a 3.05 ERA over 112 appearances. His journey from high school rejection to the big leagues included memorable moments against Hall of Famers and some big games on national TV.

Career Milestones

The San Diego Padres picked Tellmann in the 11th round of the 1976 draft. He made his major league debut on June 9, 1979, at age 25.

Key Career Statistics:

• Win-Loss Record: 18-7
• ERA: 3.05
• Strikeouts: 94
• Appearances: 112 games
• Teams: San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics

Tellmann played with six Hall of Fame teammates during his career. These included Rollie Fingers, Gaylord Perry, Ozzie Smith, Don Sutton, Paul Molitor, and Robin Yount.

He stayed effective as both a starter and reliever throughout his five seasons from 1979 to 1985.

Memorable Games and Performances

Tellmann’s most famous moment came during a Monday Night Baseball game in 1983. He struck out Hall of Famer Rod Carew on national TV, a memory he later shared with young players.

His first appearance at Yankee Stadium really stuck with him. Tellmann called the experience “religious,” feeling the weight of standing where legends like Walter Johnson and Babe Ruth had pitched.

He faced several Hall of Fame hitters, too. Tellmann pitched to Carl Yastrzemski at Fenway Park, but he struggled against Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken Jr.

Statistics and Performance Analysis

Tom Tellmann’s MLB career produced an 18-7 record and a 3.05 ERA across 112 games. He had his best years with Milwaukee, where he served as an effective relief pitcher and picked up 12 of his 13 career saves.

Pitching Records

Tellmann’s most productive years happened with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1983-1984. In 1983, he posted a 9-4 record with a 2.80 ERA over 44 games. He struck out 48 batters in 99.2 innings and saved 8 games.

In 1984, he went 6-3 with a 2.78 ERA in 50 games, adding 4 more saves. These two seasons accounted for 15 of his 18 career wins.

He struggled during his short time with Oakland in 1985. Tellmann posted a 5.06 ERA in 21.1 innings over 11 games.

Career Totals:

• 18 wins, 7 losses (.720 winning percentage)
• 3.05 ERA
• 94 strikeouts
• 13 saves
• 227 innings pitched

Batting and Fielding Data

Tellmann never made an error in the big leagues, keeping a 1.000 fielding percentage over 112 games. He handled 66 total chances successfully, with 15 putouts and 51 assists.

His defense stayed steady across all three teams. With San Diego, he fielded 7 chances without a mistake. In Milwaukee, he handled 54 chances perfectly over 94 games.

Pitchers rarely batted in the American League due to the DH rule, and Tellmann was no exception. He focused almost entirely on pitching throughout his career.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Tom Tellmann was born on March 29, 1954, in Warren, Pennsylvania. He made his mark as a standout college pitcher at Grand Canyon University.

The San Diego Padres drafted him in the 11th round of the 1976 MLB June Amateur Draft after an exceptional senior year.

Birthplace and Family Background

Thomas John Tellmann grew up in Warren, Pennsylvania, a small city in the northwestern part of the state. Warren sits in the Allegheny River valley and has a history of producing athletes across different sports.

Tellmann spent his childhood in this tight-knit community during the 1960s and early 1970s. Details about his family and early life remain mostly private, as was common for ballplayers of that time.

His Pennsylvania upbringing probably introduced him to baseball early. The state has a strong baseball tradition, with both the Phillies and Pirates calling it home.

College Baseball Career

Tellmann attended Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. He played his senior season there in 1976.

During his only year at GCU, Tellmann set a school record with 16 wins in a single season. That record still stands as the most wins by a GCU pitcher.

He earned several honors for his performance. Tellmann was named NAIA All-District VII, All-Area II, and First Team All-American in 1976.

His stats went beyond just wins. Tellmann’s single-season numbers for ERA, strikeouts, and innings pitched all rank in the top 10 in GCU history.

When Grand Canyon University inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 1991, Tellmann was seen as the school’s top baseball product.

MLB Draft and Signing

The San Diego Padres chose Tellmann in the 11th round of the 1976 MLB June Amateur Draft. This happened right after his standout senior season at Grand Canyon.

Back then, the draft was called the “major league free agent draft.” It was the way MLB teams picked up amateur talent. Being chosen in the 11th round showed that scouts saw real potential in him.

Tellmann signed with the Padres after the draft. He spent the next three years in the minors, working on his game before making his major league debut.

His signing with San Diego kicked off his professional journey. It eventually led to his MLB debut on June 9, 1979, at age 25.

Retirement and Legacy

Tom Tellmann finished his Major League Baseball career in 1985 after six seasons. His journey from Warren, Pennsylvania, led him to coach future players and share his own perspective on the game.

Retirement in 1985

Tellmann played his last MLB game in 1985 with the Oakland Athletics. He retired at 31, finishing with an 18-7 record and a 3.05 ERA over 112 appearances.

His career ran from 1979 to 1985. He pitched for three teams in the majors.

The right-hander racked up 94 strikeouts in his career. His final year with Oakland closed out a journey that started when San Diego drafted him in 1976.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Tellmann played with several Hall of Famers during his MLB days. He shared a clubhouse with Rollie Fingers, Gaylord Perry, Ozzie Smith, Don Sutton, Paul Molitor, and Robin Yount.

He faced some of the game’s best hitters as well. Tellmann struck out Hall of Famer Rod Carew during a Monday Night Baseball game in 1983.

He also pitched to Carl Yastrzemski at Fenway Park. But he struggled against hitters like Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken Jr., guys he “never could retire.”

Post-Retirement Involvement in Baseball

After baseball, Tellmann returned to his hometown of Warren, Pennsylvania. He became a coach at Warren Area High School, the same school where he’d played just one year of varsity baseball.

Tellmann set up teaching programs in the region. He ran classes for four years at the Tennis Dome in Warren, teaching five classes of 20 students each.

Kids traveled 60 to 80 miles to attend his sessions. He also taught at Goldstar in Falconer for over 15 years.

More than 40 of his students went on to play college baseball. “The goal is to hopefully one of the kids I taught can get (to the big leagues) and experience the same thing I did,” Tellmann said. “It’s worth all the work.”

Personal Life and Net Worth

Tom Tellmann returned to his hometown of Warren, Pennsylvania after his playing days. He became a respected baseball instructor and taught hundreds of young players over more than 15 years.

Life Outside Baseball

After he retired from professional baseball, Tellmann decided to make Warren his permanent home. He married and settled into community life in the same small Pennsylvania town where he was born back in 1954.

He found his calling as a baseball instructor. For four years, he taught at the Tennis Dome in Warren, working with five classes of 20 students each.

These young players traveled from as far as 60 to 80 miles away just to learn from the former major leaguer. That’s some dedication, right?

Tellmann also ran classes at Goldstar in Falconer for over 15 years. More than 40 of his students ended up playing college baseball, which is honestly pretty impressive.

He leaned on his big league experience as a teaching tool. Sometimes, he’d even pull out some grainy old video of himself striking out Hall of Famer Rod Carew.

“The goal is to hopefully one of the kids I taught can get (to the big leagues) and experience the same thing I did,” Tellmann said. “It’s worth all the work.”

He didn’t just teach at local facilities. Tellmann also coached at his old high school, Warren Area High School.

Funny enough, that’s the same school where coaches cut him from the team three times before he finally made it as a senior.

Estimated Net Worth

Tellmann hasn’t shared exact details about his net worth. I’d guess his finances probably line up with what most relief pitchers earned in the early 1980s baseball world.

Back then, major league salaries didn’t come close to what players make now. Guys from that era usually took home pretty modest paychecks compared to today’s stars.

Tellmann played five seasons between 1979 and 1985. He bounced between three different teams during that time.

After his baseball days, Tellmann made money through his baseball instruction business and some coaching gigs. Running clinics and giving private lessons kept a steady flow of income coming in after he left the field.

He’s lived in Warren, Pennsylvania for a long time, which hints at a comfortable, maybe low-key lifestyle. Living in a small Pennsylvania town made it easier for him to stay financially stable on what he earned from baseball and teaching.