Bruce Tanner

Bruce Matthew Tanner

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 220 lb.
• School Florida State University
• High School Neshannock High School
• Debut June 12, 1985
• Final Game September 28, 1985
• Born December 9, 1961 in New Castle, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Son of Chuck Tanner and formerly bullpen coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bruce Tanner pitched for the Chicago White Sox in the major leagues in 1985, while his father was managing the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He started young in the major leagues, serving as batboy while his father managed the White Sox in the early 1970s. In college at Florida State University, he led the conference in ERA in 1983.

Bruce pitched 27 innings in the majors, with a record of 1-2. His only win came in his debut on June 12th against the Seattle Mariners. He went 6 2/3 innings, giving up 7 hits, 2 earned runs, walking 2 and striking out 3.

His minor league play included time in the Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres organizations.

His brother Mark Tanner pitched in the minors.

Bruce began a long coaching career after his pitching career. He was a pitching coach in the Padres organization from 1990-1993, with the Spokane Indians (1990), Charleston Rainbows (1991), High Desert Mavericks (1992) and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (1993). After that, he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, first in the minors as a pitching coach from 1994-2000 and then in the majors as bullpen coach from 2001 to 2005. He was the pitching coach for the Augusta Pirates in 1994, Carolina Mudcats in 1996-1997, Nashville Sounds in 1998-1999, Altoona Curve in 2000 and the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2006.

Tanner has been an advance scout for the Detroit Tigers since at least 2008 (as of 2013).