Bob Kipper

Just five short years after the Pittsburgh Pirates won the 1979 World Series championship, the team had fallen to last in the National League East. They were on their way there again in 1985 – but a rebuild was under way, as the trade for Bob Kipper that August showed. The deal in which the Bucs obtained Kipper, Pat Clements, and Mike Brown while relinquishing three veterans past their prime was one of many significant moves the club made in the second half of the 1980s. With Kipper et al. the Pirates committed to a youth movement in general. Kipper himself proved to be a useful cog in Pittsburgh’s mound corps. The lefty contributed to Pittsburgh’s resurgence and the first two of three straight NL East winners from 1990 through 1992.

Robert Wayne Kipper was born on July 8, 1964, in Aurora, Illinois, located around 40 miles west of Chicago. Aurora is now the second-largest city in the state, having nearly tripled in population from the mid-60,000s in the 1960s. The family of LeRoy and Wanda Kipper lived on a six-acre farm. LeRoy worked at what was then Illinois Bell, which subsequently came under the umbrella of Ameritech, one of the seven Regional Bell Operating Companies created in 1983. (Eventually it and several other RBOCs were reabsorbed into AT&T.) He retired after working 37 years. Wanda was a stay-at-home mom caring for six children: daughters Rose, Brenda, and Patti; sons Dan, Bob, and Gary.1

Kipper’s love of baseball started at a very early age. He estimated that he might have been as young as five when he got started, benefiting from the acreage of his family home that allowed him to pitch and hit and play with family and friends on a makeshift diamond. As he got older, Kipper realized that “I could be pretty good, throwing a baseball. Better than many. This enhanced my enjoyment and led me to work harder.”2

Little League followed and others could now see his skill and how it translated at his young age into success. What was Bob’s special gift? He loved to pitch. And he was left-handed, a precious commodity for baseball. Kipper reflected that it did not take long for him to set his sights high. “My goal was pitching in the big leagues.” That goal motivated him and spurred his development. He started in the lowest age group for Little League at the age of seven and eventually graduated to what is now called the “Major” Little League Division for 11- and 12-year-olds. Afterwards came Pony League and a big change for him. The mound moved from 46 to 54 feet from home plate.

He was enrolled in Aurora Central Catholic High School; as a freshman in 1979, he pitched for the varsity team. “Those years were a formative time for me, going from being a freshman to a senior, both physically and emotionally. I had a huge junior year that put me on the map,” said Kipper. He went 11-0 for the Aurora Chargers in 1981, helping to lead his team to the Class A State finals. He won the quarterfinal matchup against state rival Bergan on a two-hit, 5-0 shutout with 10 strikeouts. “He’s the number one pitcher I’ve seen this year,” said Bergan coach Rich Coleman.3

Yet Kipper would not pitch in the semis at all or the final (which Aurora lost to Carlyle), except briefly in relief. Aurora coach Jim Schmid was loath to start Kipper again, owing to his recent workload. “His arm was a little tender… He’s a super pitcher, and I’d rather not hurt him…I decided it was better to finish second than ruin the arm of a junior like Bob.”4 As a junior, Kipper caught the eye of major-league scouts and newspapers noticed his talent. “Kipper… has shown flashes of Major League potential,” wrote the Chicago Tribune.5 After his junior year he played in the Chicago area’s Connie Mack League, a summer circuit featuring the best talent in the region.

Given how well he had done as a junior, Kipper opted to focus on baseball, even in the offseason. He did not play football in his senior year after having been the team’s quarterback in previous seasons. According to Kipper, he was recruited heavily by some big-time baseball schools at the time, including the University of Illinois, the University of Alabama, the University of Nebraska, and Creighton University. In his senior year, he decided on Nebraska, which at that time was a top five baseball program.6 Kipper had a great senior season. In the Class A Regionals against Geneva, after throwing a no-hitter the week before, he pitched a one-hitter, facing only 22 batters in the seven-inning game. He punched out 15 and picked off two after they reached on an infield single and an error. Hitter 21 walked on a questionable call, but Kipper promptly retired the next batter.7

Larry Himes, the California Angels’ director of scouting, was there. After graduation, with his scholarship to Nebraska in hand, Kipper prepared for the June draft. “I sat around on draft day, 17 years old. The phone rang. It was Larry Himes calling me to tell me I was the Angels’ number one pick!” The Angels had had a lackluster year in the strike-shortened 1981season, resulting in the eighth pick of the draft. Kipper was their man, based on the assessment of their area scout, Nick Kamzic, with whom Kipper had interacted in high school.

The euphoria of getting one step closer to his dream of playing major-league ball meant it was decision time—should he pursue his full scholarship at Nebraska or enter Organized Baseball in the Angels farm system? “The way I looked at it,” Kipper reminisced, “The signing bonus helped. I didn’t know what things would look like in three years when I was eligible again [for the draft]. I could go back to school later.”

“I was a big fish in little pond in high school, and then quickly became a little fish in a great big pond in the Angels system. I had to play against great competition. The best hitters. And more advanced.” So Kipper recalled the start of his professional career.

In 1982, Kipper started at Salem, Oregon in the Class A Northwest League and played for Joe Maddon, a future big-league manager. “Coming out of high school and respectful of my coaches, I called him Coach Maddon. That would not do. Maddon [then merely 28 himself] replied, ‘Just call me Joe.’”

Of his first season in pro ball, Kipper added, “That year we won the Northwest League championship. It was cool to be part of it. I had some ups and downs. I threw hard, had a great breaking ball, but I needed experience. I had some bad games.”8 Meanwhile, managed by Gene Mauch, the Angels rebounded and won the American League Western Division, only to lose to the Milwaukee Brewers in the AL Championship Series.

That fall, the Angels assigned Kipper to the Instructional League “Like many young pitchers, I did not have things figured out. I got hurt and it cost me time; 1983 [in Peoria in the Midwest League] was an up and down year.”9

The following year would make or break Kipper. By his own admission, he was at a developmental crossroads. “I needed to change. I was too predictable and no longer on the right trajectory. I needed to change things up and not just throw the ball hard.” If Joe Maddon was Kipper’s first mentor from an overall managerial level, then Chuck Estrada was next – and perhaps more important, given his impact on Kipper’s pitching. Estrada. who’d had a long career in baseball, was by then a pitching coach for the Redwood Pioneers in the Class A California League. “He challenged me to involve different pitches in different counts and turned me into a pitcher, not a guy who just threw hard.”

In 1984 Kipper appeared in 26 games, all starts, and had a decision in each outing, going 18-8. He led the California League in ERA (2.04) with 98 strikeouts in 185innings pitched.10 His win total included a seven-inning no-hitter against San Jose,11 and he was the league’s pitcher of the year. “Credit it to Estrada,” Kipper remarked. My willingness to change paid dividends.” The Pioneers won 91 games, taking the Northern Division title, but lost in the four-team playoff to the Modesto A’s, the eventual league champions. “I played with Devon White, Mark McLemore, and Jack Howell. It was a special group of guys.”

A successful 1984 season led to 1985, the year in which Kipper needed to be protected on the 40-man Angels roster. Of being invited to spring training in Palm Springs, California, Kipper reminisced, “I walk in and see all the big-time players. It was uncomfortable, what with all these proven major league players, and me, around them, having done nothing. I had not pitched above Class A.” Nonetheless, he described spring training as “a fairytale camp; I made an impression. Maybe I gave up one run all spring training. And now at the end, do I have a chance to make this club? I was not starting, I was coming in relief and pitching three innings or so at a time.”

The end of spring training was marked by the annual Angels-Dodgers Freeway Series. In 1985, the first game was at Chavez Ravine, Dodger Stadium. The next two were played in Anaheim on the Angels’ home field. Kipper recounted, “I pitched the ninth inning [of the second game] in front of a full house of 46,000 people.”12 (Newspaper reports showed the crowd at 62,968.13)

Kipper continued, “I realized this is my time! I had a hard time catching my breath. But I settled down and faced Steve Yeager, Ken Landreaux, and Greg Brock—and retired all three efficiently! I could not sleep that night. We played the last game of the series on Easter Sunday. Now it was Monday, and I was waiting to hear if I would make the club. Gene Mauch was the manager. I heard nothing. I went to my locker, and there was an opening day jersey hanging in it. No one told me [in person]!”

Making the Angels 25-man roster had its downside. “I was taken out of my starting routine and now had to come out of the bullpen. My first outing in Oakland (in its home opener on April 12) did not go well, getting up in a hurry to warm up was tough. [Kipper pitched two-thirds of an inning and gave up three hits, two walks, and four earned runs.14 I had to wait a while before I pitched again, a start against Oakland and again, it did not go well.”15 Kipper admitted that relieving was out of his comfort zone, and the Angels sent him to Double-A Midland (Texas).16

Fortunately for Kipper, Joe Maddon was the manager. “I went there with low confidence, the lowest in my early career. I needed to get back into my routines and as I got more innings, things gradually got better.” The Angels moved Kipper to Edmonton, Alberta, their Triple A affiliate. Kipper, who had regained his confidence, did well in what would be his only start there, a no-decision in which he pitched 8 2/3 innings and allowed two earned runs.

A couple of days later, on the August 2 trading deadline, “I was informed I was being traded to Pittsburgh and would go to their Triple A affiliate in Hawaii.”17 It was a bittersweet moment for Kipper, as it might have been for many young players. The team that wanted him originally and drafted him would no longer be the team he’d play for. On the other hand, said Kipper, “this may be a wonderful opportunity. The Pirates were a major-league team in transition and wanted me, I could be part of a transformation.”

As it developed, the deal sent Kipper to the Pirates on August 16 as the player to be named later to finalize a transaction initiated on August 2, when Pittsburgh sent Al Holland, George Hendrick, and John Candelaria—all seasoned veterans—to California for Pat Clements and Mike Brown. The California papers noted that “the Angels gave up more of that ‘prized’ youth [meaning Kipper] than at first believed.”18 The Pittsburgh Press reported “The Pirates yesterday officially assigned left-handed pitcher Bob Kipper to the Hawaii farm team, completing the six-player deal made with the California Angels earlier this month… Kipper, 21, had been with the Angels’ Edmonton team in the Pacific Coast League before he was loaned to Hawaii while the waivers were being secured.”19

In its first look at Kipper, the Honolulu Star Bulletin wrote “the Pirates have a ‘keeper’ who is on the verge of going big time.” This was after Kipper “scattered five hits last night in pitching the Hawaii Islanders to a 4-0 victory over the Portland Beavers.”20

Kipper reflected that “things were uncomfortable, going to a new team, but it was exciting to start in Hawaii. I did well, made a positive impact, showcasing well during my time there.”21 Islanders manager Tommy Sandt was impressed with the Pirates’ acquisition, saying, “he throws strikes … that’s what I like about him.”22 The lefty was called up in September.23

Kipper remembers that in the mid-1980s, the Pirates were in the midst of change – positive change. The team traded for Sid Bream and R.J. Reynolds in 1985, Bobby Bonilla in 1986, Doug Drabek in the offseason before 1987, and in a blockbuster trade in April 1987, Andy Van Slyke, Mike Lavalliere, and Mike Dunne in return for Tony Peña.

In September, his first game was against St. Louis in Pittsburgh, giving up six runs in five innings with four strikeouts and a walk.24 He recalled his most memorable moment: “I punched out Willie McGee, the eventual batting champion that year.” Kipper continued, “My next start was at Shea Stadium, pitching against a star-studded New York Mets lineup. I pitched 8 1/3 innings, which was televised on NBC’s Game of the Week and earned my first MLB win.” The Pittsburgh Press game recap highlighted Kipper’s baseball career to that point: “the victory culminates a season that was an emotional roller coaster ride for Kipper, one-time first-round pick from Aurora, Illinois. He has pitched for five teams in four leagues.” Added Kipper at the time, “I’d like to think I’m going to stick around a while now.”25

Kipper appeared in five games (24 2/3 innings) for the Pirates in September and October, starting four. He posted a 1-2 record and a 5.11 ERA.26

In the winter of 1985, the Pirates sent Kipper and a handful of other young players like Barry Bonds to winter ball in Venezuela. Kipper found it to be an important baseball experience for him, playing under Tommy Sandt as manager and Spin Williams as pitching coach and benefiting from their intense coaching.

In 1986, Kipper and his teammates greeted a new manager, Jim Leyland. On May 20, Kipper engaged the Houston Astros’ Nolan Ryan in a pitchers’ duel. Leyland kept Kipper in the game through seven innings despite a leadoff homer by Astros Billy Doran. The Pirates overcame Ryan with four runs in the ninth, winning 4-2. “Kipper gained his composure after the first inning,” said Leyland after the game, showing his patience that was emblematic of his mentoring of the southpaw.27

Kipper pitched inconsistently in 1986 and 1987, compounded in part by injury. His struggles as a starter contributed to his assignment to Triple A Vancouver in July 1987. There he appeared in six games, mostly in relief, before returning to Pittsburgh as part of the September call-up. Kipper reflected on the change to reliever late in the 1987 season. “I was an inconsistent starter, not reliable. The transition to bullpen happened before the analytics era, but the assessment foreshadowed what the data later would have borne out. My first couple innings as starter were usually successful, but that success deteriorated the second time through the opposing team’s lineup. So, the club said let’s explore the bullpen role. It also helped that I was also good against left-handed hitters.”28

“Then, the development of a change-up shifted the trajectory of my career, after 1988 and going into 1989. I worked on this pitch on my own during the off-season. I had an indoor facility available to me at Aurora University. I created a weightroom in our basement. So, for me I was able to throw regularly, as my former high school baseball coach took the head baseball position at Aurora and gladly opened the gym for me to train.”

Kipper went to spring training in 1989 equipped with his new pitch and started involving it in his repertoire. “It became a good complementary pitch and made me less predictable and took my game to the next level.” At the end of spring training, manager Jim Leyland retained confidence in Kipper as the Pirates’ left-handed reliever and remarked about the importance of pitch selection, “We think he has got a good fastball. But we don’t think it’s one of those that, when he’s behind in the count 2-0, he can say, ‘OK, here’s my fastball, hit it.’…in tough situations he has to use his changeup, his breaking ball.”29

Kipper’s intensive focus on his maturation as a pitcher probably served him well in his future career as a pitching coach. “Pitching is never easy. It is challenging. You can make it easier on yourself by using different pitches in different counts. Those things started happening for me. It allowed me to be more confident.”30

In 1989, injuries to the Pirates squad led to a 74-88 record, down from its 85-75 second place finish the year before. However, it was Kipper’s best year in the pros. “I came out of the bullpen as part of a 10-man pitching staff and had to be prepared to do whatever was needed, one hitter one night or multiple innings the next.” Kipper finished with a 2.93 ERA and a 3-4 record with four saves in 52 appearances, all out of the bullpen.

The division-winning years—1990 and 1991—were more of the same, with Kipper “doing a variety of things, pitching in a variety of roles.” He reflected, “Being a part of the division winners was exciting, the culmination of the transformation that started in 1985. To be around some great players was awesome.”31

“Playing for Leyland,” Kipper recalled about his mentor, “I did not realize how great he was until I wasn’t playing for him anymore. A real person. He had an open-door policy. But know you are going to hear the God’s honest truth.”

“After the 1991 season, I went into free agency. It did not work out the way I thought it would. I was hoping for a multi-year deal. But that did not happen; I got a one-year guaranteed deal from the Minnesota Twins for the 1992 season, with a club option year for 1993.”32 The Twins finished second in the AL West. Kipper pitched limited innings (38 2/3 with a 4.42 ERA) and was released in midseason. By coincidence, his last game in the majors (July 27, 1992) was against Oakland, the team against which he debuted seven years earlier.

After a disappointing 1992 season, Kipper was signed by the Astros in 1993. He put together a solid spring training, but then was lost for the season with a torn labrum requiring surgery and rehab. He signed with the Mets in 1994, went to big-league camp, and started the season in Norfolk playing for Bobby Valentine. “I felt different physically, I could not get loose as quickly as I did prior to surgery. However, I did feel my game was coming back to me. My last outing with Norfolk I pitched five innings against Pawtucket in a 17-inning game. However, two days later, I was called into Valentine’s office and told that there was no spot for me on the team and was released.”33

By then 29 years old, Kipper wondered “where was the baseball thing going to take me.” He was approached in the early spring of 1995, during the long baseball strike, and offered a chance to be a replacement player. “I declined. I didn’t think that would have helped advance my future in coaching, if I took that route.” His eight-year career in the majors yielded a 27-37 record and an ERA of 4.34 with 226 of his 271 appearances in relief.

When Kipper realized his pitching career was over, he explored pitching coach opportunities. He started with Evansville, Indiana of the Frontier League in 1995 and then accepted a position with Winnipeg, Manitoba of the Northern League from 1996-1998. After the 1998 season in Winnipeg, he decided to seek a role with a big-league organization again. “I put my resume out there to all the clubs. Quickly, the Mariners, the White Sox, and the Red Sox all expressed interest. I took the opportunity with the Red Sox. They flew me down to Fort Myers, Florida and went above and beyond throughout the interview process, clearly showing their desire to bring me into the organization. And I am still a proud member 26 years later!”

Kipper’s coaching journey took him through most of the club’s minor-league affiliates, beginning with the Lowell (Massachusetts) Spinners in 1999 and continuing with the Augusta (Georgia) Green Jackets of the South Atlantic League in 2000 and 2001. In 2002, Kipper served as the Red Sox bullpen voach; the following year, he migrated to Portland, Maine, serving as the Sea Dogs pitching coach in 2003-2004.

In 2005, the Red Sox asked Kipper to take the pitching coach job in Greenville, South Carolina, where he and his wife had relocated years earlier. The organization had looked for new horizons in the South, and when the Atlanta Braves moved from Greenville after a 21-year stint, Boston worked with new ownership and the Greenville community to shift its Augusta affiliate, orchestrating the construction of a new downtown ballpark, Fluor Field, which opened in 2006. The Red Sox’ Single-A South Atlantic League connection has been with Greenville ever since.

Kipper spent 2005-06 in Greenville as affiliate pitching coach, then served the following stints, all as pitching coach:

• 2007: Lancaster (California) JetHawks – Class A
• 2008-09: a return to Greenville
• 2010-14: a return to Portland – Class AA
• 2015-17: Pawtucket (Rhode Island) – Class AAA

One major-league interlude took place in August 2015. Red Sox manager John Farrell had to step back from his duties because of health considerations; as a result, bench coach Torey Lovullo became acting manager, bullpen coach Dana LeVangie became acting bench coach, and Kipper stepped in as acting bullpen coach.34 All four men resumed their prior duties in 2016.

Kipper returned to Greenville again in 2018 as pitching coach after his time with Pawtucket. “The planets aligned—being at work and home in a town I call home!”

Reflecting on his career, Kipper reminisced about his mentors: Maddon, Estrada, and Leyland. “None were afraid to have tough conversations, one had to earn their respect, and all encouraged the player to help himself. Estrada had the biggest impact on my pitching. He helped me understand that being a pitcher is more than having big-league stuff.

“Thinking back, I realized there are no quick fixes in baseball, things take time to develop. There are bumps in the road, but the key is to learn from them. Because I am in the position I am in, thanks to help along the way, it has made me a better coach. Coupled with a love of the game, I have come to appreciate the relationships that are created by it and the development opportunities for young players and even now, for myself.”

As of 2024, Kipper and his wife Kristin still reside in Greenville. They have two adult children, Kaylyn and Kendal.

Last revised: September 9, 2024

Acknowledgments

This bio could not have been written without Bob Kipper’s generosity. The time he set aside to be interviewed and to review drafts of the bio is greatly appreciated.

This article was reviewed by Gregory H. Wolf and Rory Costello and fact-checked by Larry DeFillipo.

Photo credit: Bob Kipper, Trading Card Database.

Sources

All statistics are from Baseball-reference.com unless otherwise noted. The SABR BioProject has also been invaluable.

Notes

1 LeRoy Kipper obituary, Chicago Tribune, May 7, 2015.

2 Interview with Bob Kipper, January 27, 2024. All subsequent quotes from Kipper are from this interview.

3 Chuck Rigsby, “Aurora CC Pitcher Lives up to Billing,” Journal Star (Peoria, Illinois), June 3, 1981: C-1.

4 Jim Ruppert, “Carlyle claims Class A Crown with 3-1Win, State Journal-Register (Springfield, Illinois), June 4, 1981: 17.

5 Untitled column, Chicago Tribune, June 6, 1982: 56.

6 “Huskers Ink Talented Hurler,” Grand Island (Nebraska) Daily Independent, May 6, 1982: 24.

7 “No-hitter for Aurora Central’s Copp,” Chicago Sun-Times, May 25, 1982: 85. Taylor Bell, “Kipper High School’s Aurora Borealis,” Chicago Sun-Times, May 27, 1982: 48.

8 Kipper went 6-5 for Salem, starting all 13 games in which he appeared. He threw 76 2/3 innings with an ERA of 4.46.

9 Kipper appeared in 22 games for Peoria, starting all but one. He went 5-8 with a 4.65 ERA, 105 strikeouts, and 52 walks.

10 1984 Redwood Pioneers Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com

11 Brian Sumpter, “Kipper’s no-hitter gives Pioneers a sweep,” Santa Rosa (California) Press Democrat, June 11, 1984: 33.

12 Kipper’s “clean” ninth inning was in relief of Tommy John who threw five scoreless innings, and Jim Slaton, who gave up one run in three innings. The Angels lost the game 1-0 in a combined shutout thrown by Jerry Reuss and Orel Hershiser. The exhibition box scores were erratic when it came to reporting attendance, but the San Bernadino County Sun noted a three-game total of 145,346 for the 1985 Freeway Series. Greg Patton, “All messed up, and ready to play,” San Bernardino County Sun, April 8, 1985: 17.

13 “Dodgers Stifle Angels behind Reuss, Hershiser,” Ventura County (California) Star-Free Press, April 7, 1985: B-1.

14 “Angel Game at Glance,” Los Angeles Times, April 13, 1985: Part III, 17.

15 Mike Penner, “Angels Get 6 Homers, But Lose to A’s, 14-9,” Los Angeles Times, April 24, 1985: Part III, 1, 4.

16 “Bob Kipper, the 20-year-old rookie with a 21.60 ERA after two appearances was being optioned to Midland of the Texas League…on the move with Bob Kipper, Manager Gene Mauch said…we feel he’s [Kipper] too good a prospect to be sitting around here waiting [to pitch] …We still feel he is going to be a hell of a pitcher.” Ross Newhan, “Angels Fall, Then Call for Help,” Los Angeles Times, April 25, 1985: Part III, 1, 6.

17 The major-league trading deadline in 1985 was June 15, per B-R. Newspapers on August 3 described Kipper as having been loaned to Hawaii, which is also reflected in Kipper’s transactions log in B-R. See Norm Cowley, “Trappers caught in the dark,” Edmonton Journal, August 3, 1985: E1.

18 “Angel Notes,” San Bernadino County (California) Sun, August 17, 1985: 44.

19 “Pirates’ Kipper clears waivers,” Pittsburgh Press, August 17, 1985: B8.

20 Rod Ohira, “Kipper Looks like a Keeper: Islander Newcomer Blanks Beavers on Five Hits,” Honolulu Star Bulletin, August 20, 1985: 19.

21 The Honolulu Advertiser wrote on August 26, “Bob Kipper has allowed just four earned runs in his first four starts and 33 innings for the Islanders…His overall ERA in the PCL, counting his one start for Edmonton and a relief appearance for the Islanders is 13.4.” “Page turns back Vancouver,” Honolulu Advertiser, August 26, 1985, 17.

22 Rod Ohira, “Kipper Looks Like a Keeper.”

23 “Pitchers Mike Bielecki, Ray Krawczwk, and Bob Kipper are expected to be in uniform for the Pirates on Tuesday [September 10].” Tim Panaccio, “Wild Throws Increase Pirates’ Tragic Number to 40,” Pittsburgh Press, September 7, 1985: B1.

24 The Pittsburgh Press noted that “Joaquin Andujar…defeated a pitcher making his National League debut, Bob Kipper, the lefthander who came to the Pirates from the California Angels in the George Hendrick trade. Kipper gave up two home runs but impressed [Chuck] Tanner. ‘Off what I saw tonight, he has a chance to be on our staff next year.” Bob Hertzel, “Cards show they can hit for power, too,” Pittsburgh Press, September 18, 1985: C4.

25 Bob Herzel, “Kipper’s first victory a nightmare for Mets,” Pittsburgh Press, September 23, 1985: D1, 3.

26 Baseball Reference also shows that Kipper faced 104 batters, striking out 13 and walking seven while giving up 21 hits and four home runs.

27 Charley Feeney, “Pirates’ late rally stuns Houston,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 21, 1986: 17-18.

28 Over the 1986 and 1987 seasons combined, Kipper pitched almost exclusively as a starter for the Pirates, going 11-17 in 39 starts in a total of 44 games. In 1988, he shifted gears solely to reliever, appearing in 50 games, all in relief.

29 Bob Smizik, “Kipper finally makes right pitch,” Pittsburgh Press, March 30, 1989: D4.

30 “Kipper is being counted upon to be the left-hander in the bullpen, a role he won last year and handled adequately.” Bob Hertzel, “Kipper’s pitch plus some others aren’t giving Leyland much relief,” Pittsburgh Press, March 17, 1989: D1.

31 Kipper’s 1990 season was on par with 1989; he came out of the bullpen 41 times with a 5-2 record and three saves alongside an ERA of 3.02. His ERA went up in 1991 to 4.65 in 52 games, which was fueled by a 50% increase in hits allowed compared to 1990 in roughly the same number of innings pitched.

32 Gene Collier, “Twins sign Kipper to $1 million deal,” Pittsburgh Press, December 18, 1991: D1.

33 The Indiana (Pennsylvania) Gazette, reported on January 20, 1994 “The Mets signed left-handed pitcher Bob Kipper Wednesday. Kipper, who pitched seven seasons in the Pirates organization, missed the entire 1993 season for Houston because of a tear in his left shoulder.” On March 26, it carried in its sports transactions column that the New York Mets “sent Bob Kipper, pitcher, to their minor league camp for reassignment. “Sports Notes,” Indiana (Pennsylvania) Gazette, January 20, 1994: 10. “Transactions,” Indiana Gazette, March 26, 1994: 16. A look at the Norfolk Tides statistics in 1994 shows Kipper appearing in nine games (12 2/3 innings pitched), all in relief with an ERA of 7.82, before he was released.

34 Peter Abraham, “Coaching staff gets makeover,” Boston Globe, August 17, 2015: C3.