Van Tappan

Walter Van Dorn Tappan
(Tap)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 158 lb.

• Debut April 16, 1914
• Final Game July 15, 1914
• Born October 8, 1889 in Carlinville, IL USA
• Died December 19, 1967 in Lynwood, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Walter Van Dorn "Tap" Tappan played for the Kansas City Packers of the Federal League in 1914. He was one of the youngest players on the team, and got into 18 games, primarily as a middle infielder. From May 3 to May 7, he played five complete games and got at least one hit in each game.

In 1907, Tappan shot and killed a man named Clyde St. Clair in self-defense, after a feud between the two ensued over Tappan pursuing a relationship with St. Clair's ex-girlfriend. The woman claimed that St. Clair became very threatening and said he was planning on hurting Tappan. When he found him he apparently attacked him and tried to pull a gun which prompted Tappan to shoot out of fear for his life. He turned himself in at the police station after the incident went down and explained to them what happened. He faced second-degree murder charges but was ultimately found not guilty.

Related Sites

• Van Dorn Tappan at the SABR Bio Project