KEVIN TAPANI

FULL NAME: Kevin Tapani

AGE, HT., WT.: 35, 6-1, 195

Born: February 18, 1964

HOME: Minneapolis, Minnesota

STATUS/FAMILY: Married with three children

NICKNAME: Tap

LIFE OUTSIDE BASEBALL: I used to play some golf, but now mostly I do things with the family. I bus them around to school, soccer and baseball games.

SPORTS HERO WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG: I don't have one person that sticks out. It was a combination of certain people.

PEOPLE WHO INFLUENCED ME THE MOST/WHY: My parents, because they were there everyday. Teachers and my high school football coach.

BEST ADVICE ANYONE EVER GAVE ME: Keep things simple.

PLAYERS, PAST OR PRESENT, I'D PAY TO WATCH PLAY BASEBALL: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa.

TYPE OF CAR: Chevy Suburban

FAVORITE ACTOR: Sean Connery

FAVORITE MOVIE: I don't have one. I'm not much of a movie buff.

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Days of Our Lives

FAVORITE MUSIC: Jimmy Buffett

FAVORITE FOOD: Italian

FAVORITE BALLPARK: Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park.

FAVORITE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM OUTSIDE OF BASEBALL: The Green Bay Packers.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: I haven't had anything really that bad that has set me back. I've had a pretty good life.

BEST TIME OF MY LIFE/WHY? My wedding day and the birth of my children.

PLAYER I LEARNED THE MOST FROM: I learned a lot from Kirby Puckett.

IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT BASEBALL IT WOULD BE: They could move the fences back 75 yards. But honestly, I think it's pretty good the way it is.

IF NOT A BASEBALL PLAYER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN: I have a degree in finance, so probably something in banking or finance.

BEHIND MY BACK THEY SAY: That as a pitcher, he gives his team a chance to win.

TOUGHEST BATTER I'VE FACED: Paul Molitor

GAME SITUATION I'D LIKE TO BE IN: Ahead 5-0 with two out in the ninth inning.

LIFE AFTER BASEBALL: I'm not sure at this point. I know I'm going to have to find something to do. It'll be nice to have some time off in the summer, and I'll spend most of it with my family.

MOST EMBARRASSING BASEBALL EXPERIENCE: When I was in college (Central Michigan University), we were playing a game when my catcher double-pumped a throw to second base. I ducked down low, but the ball hit me in the head and knocked me out.

MY MOST MEMORABLE GAME: It was Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. I didn't play in it, but watching Jack Morris pitch 10 innings and win that game, 1-0, was my most memorable game.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group