Bill Zepp
Encyclopedia
William Clinton Zepp is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball
.
Born in Detroit, Zepp was a "superstar" in high school but decided to attend college at the University of Michigan
, "where he lost his velocity and confidence." He was drafted but did not sign on three occasions while attending school: 1965 by the Milwaukee Braves
, 1966 by the Detroit Tigers
, and 1967 by the Boston Red Sox
.
He was ultimately signed by the Minnesota Twins
as an amateur free agent in 1968. He played for the Twins in 1969 and 1970, appearing in 47 games. In 1970, he was 9-4 for the Twins in 43 games, including 20 as a starter. His 1969 ERA
was 3.22, well below the league average for an Adjusted ERA+
of 116. He was also No. 3 in the American League
having hit batsmen 9 times in 1970. Zepp made two short relief appearances in the 1970 American League Championship Series
against the Orioles
, giving up 2 hits and 1 run in 1 inning.
Zepp was traded to the Detroit Tigers
in March 1971 and played in 16 games for the 1971 Tigers. His ERA ballooned to 5.12 in 1971, and he played his last major league game on June 20, 1971. Zepp later recalled that he suffered a "Tommy John
injury," tearing a tendon and resulting in lost arm strength. Zepp decided not to undergo risky surgery and instead retired from baseball.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Born in Detroit, Zepp was a "superstar" in high school but decided to attend college at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, "where he lost his velocity and confidence." He was drafted but did not sign on three occasions while attending school: 1965 by the Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, 1966 by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, and 1967 by the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
He was ultimately signed by the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
as an amateur free agent in 1968. He played for the Twins in 1969 and 1970, appearing in 47 games. In 1970, he was 9-4 for the Twins in 43 games, including 20 as a starter. His 1969 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
was 3.22, well below the league average for an Adjusted ERA+
Adjusted ERA+
Adjusted ERA+, often simply abbreviated to ERA+ or ERA plus, is a pitching statistic in baseball. It adjusts a pitcher's earned run average according to the pitcher's ballpark and the ERA of the pitcher's league...
of 116. He was also No. 3 in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
having hit batsmen 9 times in 1970. Zepp made two short relief appearances in the 1970 American League Championship Series
1970 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 3, 1970 at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, MinnesotaBaltimore only had to use their bullpen once in the series when Dick Hall came on to relieve Mike Cuellar in Game 1. Dave McNally and Jim Palmer both pitched complete games in Games 2 and 3.The Twins...
against the Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, giving up 2 hits and 1 run in 1 inning.
Zepp was traded to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in March 1971 and played in 16 games for the 1971 Tigers. His ERA ballooned to 5.12 in 1971, and he played his last major league game on June 20, 1971. Zepp later recalled that he suffered a "Tommy John
Tommy John
Thomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...
injury," tearing a tendon and resulting in lost arm strength. Zepp decided not to undergo risky surgery and instead retired from baseball.