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Bill Zepp (1946)

Right-hander Bill Zepp pitched for the Twins from 1969-1970. Born and raised in Detroit, he attended the University of Michigan, played in the Basin League for the Valentine Hearts, and was signed by the Twins as a free agent in 1968. A starter in the minors, he pitched very well there, posting an ERA of three in Class A Wisconsin Rapids in 1968 and going 15-3, 2.34 with a 1.08 WHIP in 1969 in AA Charlotte. He was with the Twins for about three weeks in August of 1969, working 5.1 relief innings. The next year, 1970, was his only full season in the majors. He started the season in the bullpen, pitched extremely well there, and went into the rotation in early July, where he continued to pitch well. For the season, he made 20 starts and relieved 23 times. In 151 innings, he went 9-4, 3.22 with a 1.36 WHIP, which is pretty good for an undrafted 23-year-old. It didn’t impress the Twins much, though, because he was taken out of the rotation at the end of the year and traded to Detroit in spring training of 1971 for Mike Adams and a player to be named later (Art Clifford). He was probably excited to be going home, but it didn’t work out well. He started the season with Detroit, posted a 5.12 ERA, and was sent back to AAA in late June. He pitched six times in AAA Toledo, not doing particularly well. It appears that he needed Tommy John surgery. The procedure was still new then, and Zepp decided to retire rather than risk the surgery. At last report, Bill Zepp was retired and living in Plymouth, Michigan. He frequently attends Detroit Tigers and University of Michigan alumni events.