Meet Pitcher Bill Zepp
William (Bill) Clinton Zepp was born on July 22, 1946 in Detroit, Michigan. Bill was a high school sports superstar playing multiple sports before attending the University of Michigan and playing baseball for the Wolverines. Zepp was drafted by the Braves in 1965, the Tigers in 1966, and the Red Sox in 1967 but turned them all down in order to finish college. Bill then signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Twins in 1968. Bill only pitched in 40 minor league games throwing just 290 innings over two years before he was called up by the Twins in August 1969. Bill had a very nice season with the Twins in 1970 when he was 9-4 with a 3.22 ERA in 40 games with 20 starts. During the 1970 season, Bill requested to be traded to a team closer to home and the Twins accommodated his request. After being traded to the Tigers in 1971, Bill was injured and only made 16 appearances for the Tigers. Sadly, Bill’s career ended at the age of 24 after only 3 major league seasons due to an elbow injury. Bill pitched in a total of 63 games with 24 starts and had a 10-5 record with a 3.64 ERA in 188 major league innings. Today Bill is retired and enjoying life with family and friends in Plymouth, Michigan.
The interview with Bill Zepp is 61 minutes in length and took place in June 2010.
Urban legend is that Zepp’s wife demanded the trade to Detroit. I wonder if that’s why he didn’t want to talk about it.
I have heard that story too, although I have not been able to verify it, I tend to believe it because I have seen it said in numerous places.