Hall of Fame Inductee - Mel Tappe

The name of Mel Tappe is one of the most recognized in Quincy sports history. Tappe was one of the standouts on the 1944-45 Blue Devil basketball team that went 28-5, eventually capturing third place in illinois. In baseball, he and his brother, El, teamed up to form a twin brother battery, with Mel on the mound and El behind the plate. That combination was good enough to help the Blue Devils make it all the way to the state championship game in 1945. After graduation, Tappe attended Quincy College where he led the Hawks to a conference title in 1947. A few months later, Tappe signed a professional baseball contract and enjoyed a fine minor league career, posting records of 18-6, 12-12 before winning 22 games during the 1950 season. At the ripe old age of 26 Tappe injured his arm, but stayed in baseball as the manager of the Augusta, Georgia franchise, He went on to coach and manage at the major league level for the Chicago Cubs in the late 50's and early 60's, before returning to Quincy. Once back home Tappe and his brother El opened a sporting goods business. Always around the game, Tappe became one of the area's most recognized play-by-play radio voices in the 60's and 70's.