Roy Tanner

Roy Eugene Tanner

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 170 lb.
• School St. Johns River State College, Stetson University
• Born December 27, 1950 in Palatka, FL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Utilityman Roy Tanner played in the Kansas City Royals system from 1972 to 1977. He slashed .357/.465/.417 with 10 steals and 18 walks in 45 games for the Rookie level GCL Royals his first campaign, then spent the next five seasons at Single A, where he never hit better than .267. Overall, Tanner batted .267/.336/.307 with 1 home run, 84 RBI, 29 stolen bases, 59 walks and 104 strikeouts in 885 at-bats in 303 games over six seasons.

From 1977 to 1980, he was listed as a minor league instructor for K.C., and in 1978 he was listed as a coach for the Fort Myers Royals. He managed in the club's system from 1980 to 1983, leading the GCL Royals Gold to a 22-40, 9th-place finish his first year and the same club to a 44-20, 1st-place finish the next. Future major leaguers Bob Hegman and Mike Kingery played for him in 1980 and Tony Ferreira and Mark Gubicza played for him in 1981. In 1982, he led the Charleston Royals to a 74-66 record. The team lost in the first round of the South Atlantic League playoffs. In 1983, he led Charleston to a 64-80 record, tying for 9th place in the league. Among others, Danny Jackson and David Cone played for Tanner with Charleston.

In 1984, he began a scouting career, initially with the Royals, though he spent most of his tenure in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He signed, among others, Mike Cisco, Stu Cole, Mike Costanzo, Brian Schlitter and Reggie Taylor.