Mel Tappe

Melvin E. Tappe

• Bats Right, Throws Right

• School Quincy College
• Born May 21, 1927 in Quincy, IL USA
• Died July 1992

Biographical Information

The twin brother of big league catcher, coach, and manager El Tappe, pitcher Mel Tappe suffered an arm injury while playing in the minors and never made it to the majors. Tappe began his career with the 1947 Henderson Oilers and was rocked, going 5-5 but with a 7.20 ERA. He improved to 13-7, 4.11 his second year with the team. In 1949, Tappe went 8-11, 4.82 for the Greenville Majors and was 2-4, 4.76 for Greenville in 1950. He moved during that year to the Corpus Christi Aces and went 10-10 with a 4.70 ERA. Returning to the Aces, his lines the next two years read 18-4, 3.22 and 12-11, 4.82. He was 0-1 with a 6.54 ERA for the 1952 Shreveport Sports. In '53, Tappe was 7-8, 2.66 for the Augusta Rams but he fell to 3-9, 3.93 the next year for the Rams. He completed his career at age 27/28 with the Harlingen Capitals (11-12, 3.98). Overall, he was 89-92.

Tappe served as President/GM of the Quincy Gems in 1964.

After retiring as players, the twin brothers operated a sporting goods store and also worked in television and radio in their hometown of Quincy, Illinois. Mel Tappe died of cancer at age 65.