But this was not to be Tekulve’s night. If I could run, I’d be stealing bases.”In 1974 Tekulve began the season at Triple-A Charleston, then was called up in May. Murray hit a line drive to right field, the kind Dave Parker normally caught easily. “I just lolled around in the stands and watched,” Tekulve said.Tekulve later learned that the snub was intentional. Tekulve was especially effective in September, posting a 1.64 ERA in 14 games. A few weeks later, Tekulve was sent back to Charleston.Tekulve was available in the draft after the 1974 season, but all 23 teams passed on him. “I thought that, ‘I hope his legs don’t fail him now, but he’s made those plays all year and somehow I knew he would get it,” Tekulve said after the game.In the bottom of the ninth Tekulve struck out Gary Roenicke and Doug DeCinces. Their last four games of the season were against the Phillies, and Tekulve won both games of a doubleheader on September 29 before picking up his 31st save on October 1. (Tekulve’s Pittsburgh record of 94 appearances in 1979 was tied by Salomon Torres in 2006.) He recorded a 0.94 ERA during his senior year and was selected to the All-Ohio Athletic Conference second team. Shortly after the Pirates’ victory he went to a department store to buy diapers for his infant son, Jonathan. Join Facebook to connect with Linda Taylor and others you may know. )Roger Angell defined the team’s character thusly: “All year at Three Rivers Stadium the loudspeakers blasted out the Pirates’ theme song during the seventh inning stretch – a thumping, catchy, disco rock number, ‘We Are Family’ by Sister Sledge!” Pittsburgh squared off against Cincinnati for the National League pennant. Kent Tekulve was born on March 5, 1947 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA as Kenton Charles Tekulve. But that is what he did.Tanner’s idea was to keep Tekulve in the game to face the next batter if Jackson did not get Evans out. His father drove a truck for the Kroger grocery-store chain, and his mother was a purchasing agent for Mercy Hospital in Hamilton, Ohio.

His wife, Linda, was given a gold necklace with 27 diamonds representing Tekulve’s uniform number when a Pirate.Tekulve could not stay away from baseball. We didn’t score many runs last season and we didn’t have the luxury of putting Tekulve in with a three- or four-run lead. At first, he appeared in mopup situations, but bullpen problems forced manager Danny Murtaugh to call on him when it counted. He got his first major-league hit on September 5 off Dale Murray of Montreal using a bat borrowed from first baseman Bob Robertson.Tekulve got his first playoff exposure in 1975, appearing in two games of the National League Championship Series against the Reds. “The Pirates extend their congratulations to Kent Tekulve and Linda Taylor, who have just announced their engagement.” Teke was engaged! View the profiles of people named Linda Taylor. Evans was a notorious pull hitter, but he got around late on Jackson, and hit a fly ball to Tekulve. This happened on September 1, 1979.

In Tekulve’s first two appearances for the Phillies he allowed just an infield hit in four innings, and the Phillies returned him to the closer role. Tekulve put together an impressive record as Goose Gossage’s setup man. Check out some of the IMDb editors' favorites movies and shows to round out your Watchlist. (Jerry started pitching at 11.) He became a member of the Phillies broadcast team in 1991, and stayed on until 1997.

Years later, Tekulve commented, “Now that was ridiculous. The Pirates had their first losing season since 1973. What was not logical was for Tanner to send Tekulve to left field. Looking for some great streaming picks? He has been married to Linda Taylor since October 30, 1976. Kent Tekulve was born on March 5, 1947 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA as Kenton Charles Tekulve. After the season, on October 30, Tekulve married Linda Taylor of Washington, Pennsylvania, on October 30. He won his first game for the Phillies on April 29, when he pitched 2⅔ innings of scoreless relief in a 3-2 win over Montreal. “I was so wrapped up in the game that it didn’t hit me until the ball was in the air and Omar [Moreno, Pirates center fielder] caught it. They have two children. I wasn’t driving with my motion. He began the 1975 season with Charleston, but was recalled in June, and pitched in 34 games for the Pirates. Kent always batted ninth and only pitched.