Old School Pirates pitcher Kent Tekulve

[SPTO]

I notice some people are of the age to have seen some good ball back in the '70s and in the '80s as well so I thought it was worth a shot to ask this.

this past weekend ESPN CLASSIC CANADA was having a "comeback weekend" one of the games they showed was Game 7 of the 1979 WS between the O's and Pirates. I got a chance to see a pitcher that i've heard a bit about in Kent Tekulve. I did some research on the guy and he seemed like a pretty decent pitcher but i'd like to know from anyone who may have seen the Pirates play in the 70s and early 80s what they thought of the guy.

I only ask this because I remember a few yrs ago talking to someone about baseball and relievers and he spoke glowingly of Kent Tekulve.

Thanks in advance if I get answers/thoughts.

[Leebo33]

Re: Old School Pirates pitcher Kent Tekulve

I love Kent Tekulve. He was known as the "Rubberband Man" because of his tall and slender build as well as his seemingly tireless arm. He was an "old-school" reliever in that he routinely pitched a lot of innings. He pitched at least 100 innings 7 times in his 16 year career and led the league in appearances 4 times. Overall, he pitched in over 1,000 games.

My fondest memory of Tekulve was a game late in the season in a tight pennant race. The Pirates were leading late in the game and a very tough lefty was coming up. A righthanded batter was due to follow so Chuck Tanner didn't want to lose Tekulve. He just wanted to have the lefty pitch to one batter so he put Tekulve in left field hoping the ball wouldn't be hit that way. Well, of course the ball was hit to left field but Tekulve made the play and the Pirates ended up winning the game.

[Leebo33]

Re: Old School Pirates pitcher Kent Tekulve

I love Kent Tekulve. He was known as the "Rubberband Man" because of his tall and slender build as well as his seemingly tireless arm. He was an "old-school" reliever in that he routinely pitched a lot of innings. He pitched at least 100 innings 7 times in his 16 year career and led the league in appearances 4 times. Overall, he pitched in over 1,000 games.

My fondest memory of Tekulve was a game late in the season in a tight pennant race. The Pirates were leading late in the game and a very tough lefty was coming up. A righthanded batter was due to follow so Chuck Tanner didn't want to lose Tekulve. He just wanted to have the lefty pitch to one batter so he put Tekulve in left field hoping the ball wouldn't be hit that way. Well, of course the ball was hit to left field but Tekulve made the play and the Pirates ended up winning the game.

[Leebo33]

Re: Old School Pirates pitcher Kent Tekulve

I love Kent Tekulve. He was known as the "Rubberband Man" because of his tall and slender build as well as his seemingly tireless arm. He was an "old-school" reliever in that he routinely pitched a lot of innings. He pitched at least 100 innings 7 times in his 16 year career and led the league in appearances 4 times. Overall, he pitched in over 1,000 games.

My fondest memory of Tekulve was a game late in the season in a tight pennant race. The Pirates were leading late in the game and a very tough lefty was coming up. A righthanded batter was due to follow so Chuck Tanner didn't want to lose Tekulve. He just wanted to have the lefty pitch to one batter so he put Tekulve in left field hoping the ball wouldn't be hit that way. Well, of course the ball was hit to left field but Tekulve made the play and the Pirates ended up winning the game.

[MSRoble33]

Re: Old School Pirates pitcher Kent Tekulve

Teke was the man back in the day! That was before saves were really a cherished stat though, but all in all, he pretty much WAS the Pirates closer before closing became a job all in itself...

I live in a town near Pittsburgh, called Washington, currently Teke is the pitching coach for the semi-pro team here, the Washington Wildthings, you can see him all the time at the games, and quite often you can see him and talk to him down at the mall there by Falconi Field.

[MSRoble33]

Re: Old School Pirates pitcher Kent Tekulve

Teke was the man back in the day! That was before saves were really a cherished stat though, but all in all, he pretty much WAS the Pirates closer before closing became a job all in itself...

I live in a town near Pittsburgh, called Washington, currently Teke is the pitching coach for the semi-pro team here, the Washington Wildthings, you can see him all the time at the games, and quite often you can see him and talk to him down at the mall there by Falconi Field.

[MSRoble33]

Re: Old School Pirates pitcher Kent Tekulve

Teke was the man back in the day! That was before saves were really a cherished stat though, but all in all, he pretty much WAS the Pirates closer before closing became a job all in itself...

I live in a town near Pittsburgh, called Washington, currently Teke is the pitching coach for the semi-pro team here, the Washington Wildthings, you can see him all the time at the games, and quite often you can see him and talk to him down at the mall there by Falconi Field.

[HiJumpr111]

Re: Old School Pirates pitcher Kent Tekulve

Without question, this guy had the most interesting delivery back in the 70's and 80's (perhaps along with Dan Quisenberry)

So many side-armers and submariners owe their craft to this guy.

[HiJumpr111]

Re: Old School Pirates pitcher Kent Tekulve

Without question, this guy had the most interesting delivery back in the 70's and 80's (perhaps along with Dan Quisenberry)

So many side-armers and submariners owe their craft to this guy.

[HiJumpr111]

Re: Old School Pirates pitcher Kent Tekulve

Without question, this guy had the most interesting delivery back in the 70's and 80's (perhaps along with Dan Quisenberry)

So many side-armers and submariners owe their craft to this guy.