Baseball Guru
02-19-2002, 02:49 PM
Escanaba, MI (Sports Network) - Chicago Cubs pitcher Kevin Tapani announced his retirement Saturday after a 13-year major league career.
Tapani told the Daily Press of Escanaba he made the decision in August, but didn't announce it after the terrorist attacks on September 11 and the dismissal of pitching coach Oscar Acosta on the final day of the season.
Last season started off great for Tapani, as he won eight of his first nine starts. Tapani rarely got any kind of run support after that, and finished the year 9-14 with a 4.49 ERA.
He filed for free agency after the Cubs bought out the final year of his contract. Five teams showed interest, but he turned down an offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Tapani's career record is 143-125 with a 4.35 ERA, 26 complete games and nine shutouts. He played for the Twins, Mets, Dodgers, White Sox and Cubs.
In 1991 Tapani was 16-9 and a 2.99 ERA in helping Minnesota win the World Series. The father of two boys plans to coach youth baseball.
Tapani told the Daily Press of Escanaba he made the decision in August, but didn't announce it after the terrorist attacks on September 11 and the dismissal of pitching coach Oscar Acosta on the final day of the season.
Last season started off great for Tapani, as he won eight of his first nine starts. Tapani rarely got any kind of run support after that, and finished the year 9-14 with a 4.49 ERA.
He filed for free agency after the Cubs bought out the final year of his contract. Five teams showed interest, but he turned down an offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Tapani's career record is 143-125 with a 4.35 ERA, 26 complete games and nine shutouts. He played for the Twins, Mets, Dodgers, White Sox and Cubs.
In 1991 Tapani was 16-9 and a 2.99 ERA in helping Minnesota win the World Series. The father of two boys plans to coach youth baseball.