Richard A. Knapp is the former pitching coach for the Major League 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...

 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...

. Knapp served as the Tigers pitching coach from 2008 until midway through the 2011 season.

Knapp previously served as the minor league pitching coordinator for 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...

. Knapp pitched five seasons in the Minor Leagues for the Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers (baseball)

The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...

 organization. Knapp attended Virginia Tech

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech , is a public land-grant university with the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia with other research and educational centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and internationally.Founded in...

 and was selected in the 41st round of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft

1983 Major League Baseball Draft

-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1983 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Other notable players :*Kevin Ward, 6th round...

.

Knapp was hired by the Tigers in 2008 to replace Chuck Hernandez

Chuck Hernandez

Carlo Amado "Chuck" Hernandez is a coach in Major League Baseball. He has served as pitching coach for the California Angels , Tampa Bay Devil Rays , and Detroit Tigers...

. He was relieved of his duties with the Detroit Tigers on July 3, 2011.

Knapp was named minor league pitching coordinator by the Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...

on September 28, 2011.