Another Look: Kent Tekulve

Former Pirate pitcher still contributes to team as advanced scout

Bob Barrickman, Beaver County Times Sports Correspondent
05/25/2006

It's been 21 years since Kent Tekulve last wore a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform and 27 years since he threw the final pitch of the 1979 World Series. The former long-time reliever remains in baseball these days, currently in his first season as the Pirates advance scout. "I look at the teams that the Pirates are going to play in the near future," said Tekulve, a 6-foot-4 right-hander who was signed by the Pirates as a free agent in 1969. "I get an idea of what the pitchers and hitters will try to do in certain situations.

"I also scout the managers," said Tekulve, 59. "Do they play small ball or do they play for a big inning? (Pirates manager) Jim (Tracy) asks me how we can score one more run or give up one run less. There's a lot of travel but I love the job."

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Tekulve made his debut in the majors with the Pirates in 1974 and stayed with the team until early in the 1985 season. He wrapped up a 16-year career with Cincinnati in 1989 with 184 saves. With a career record of 94-90, he led the NL in games pitched four times.

Tekulve has called Pittsburgh home since the Pirates memorable World Series-champion season in 1979. He and his wife, Linda, live in Upper St. Clair. They have sons, Chris, 28, Jon, 26 and Brian, 21 and a daughter, Beth, 24.

Tekulve was a set-up man in the Pirates bullpen for closer Rich Gossage in 1977. Tekluve didn't assume the closer's role immediately after Gossage signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent the following year. "Jim Bibby was the closer but he was much better suited as a starter," Tekulve said.

Tekulve took over as the closer and led the National League with 91 appearances and was second with 31 saves.

"We were never a good early-season ballclub and we fell way behind the (Philadelphia) Phillies in 1978," he said. "We couldn't quite catch them." After another shaky start in 1979, the Pirates rose to the top.

"The trade for (Bill) Madlock was the final piece to the puzzle," said Tekulve of the third baseman the Pirates acquired from the San Francisco Giants in June of '79. "That allowed Phil (Garner) to move to second (base). He was much better at second." After winning the National League East, the Pirates swept the NL West champion Reds in three games to win the pennant.

Next up were the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. Tekulve was the losing pitcher in Game 4 of the series at Three Rivers Stadium, but did his better pitching on the road.

Tekulve saved Game 2 and Game 6 in Baltimore as the Bucs won two straight decisions to knot the Series at 3-3. Tekulve entered Game 7 in the eighth inning at Memorial Stadium with the Pirates leading 2-1 thanks to Willie Stargell's two-run homer in the sixth.

The Pirates tacked on two more runs in the top of the ninth inning to lead, 4-1.

Tekulve closed it out.

He struck out the first two Orioles batters.

"The infielders were throwing the ball around the horn and then Madlock was about to throw it back to me. I approached (Madlock) halfway and said, Dog, there were (26) teams in spring training looking for this 27th out, but we're the only ones who are going to find it."

The next Orioles batter was Pat Kelly and Tekulve's next pitch ended in center field. It was caught by Omar Moreno and the Pirates became world champions.

Tekulve had 31 saves to place second again in the National League in '79 and had the most appearances again with 94. He made the All-Star team in 1980 and remained with the Bucs until being traded to the Phillies for reliever Al Holland early in 1985. Tekulve signed with the Reds as a free agent in 1989 and was the oldest player in baseball at 42 when he retired after that season.

©Beaver County Times Allegheny Times 2006