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<\/p>\nPhoto by Scott Kindberg
\nIn this November 2019 file photo, Tom Tellmann speaks at a baseball luncheon in Jamestown.<\/p>\n
Warren\u2019s own Tom Tellmann made his major league debut on June 9, 1979, for the San Diego Padres. He was a closing pitcher for their minor league team in Hawaii when he got the call up to replace a teammate who was going on the DL. Starting pitcher Eric Rasmussen was hit by a line drive in the first inning and Tellmann got the call in the bullpen to relieve him. <\/p>\n
He went three innings that day and gave up five earned runs, including a home run by Ted Simmons, who would go on to become Tellmann\u2019s teammate for the Milwaukee Brewers four years later. After he left the game, he laid down on the trainers table and cried, believing he blew his opportunity and would never get back to the majors.<\/p>\n
A year later, he did indeed make it back, and this time as a starter. In that first start, he threw a complete game, gave up zero earned runs and had an RBI single to beat the legendary Phil Neikro of the Atlanta Braves, 3-1.<\/p>\n
People often use the expression \u201cit\u2019s a small world\u201d and that was the case at that particular game. Tom Tortellot, a teacher at Warren High School when Tellmann went there, was at that game and caught the first foul ball of the game. He made a diving catch to secure the ball and received an ovation from the crowd. Tortellot waited outside the gate after the game to let Tellmann know it was him who caught the ball.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tom Tellman is pictured during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers.<\/p>\n
Tellmann\u2019s greatest moment came in the first ABC Monday Night Baseball game of the season in 1983, which had legends Howard Cosell and Al Michaels calling the game. <\/p>\n
\u201cSince it was a nationally televised game, I knew my parents would be watching and they hadn\u2019t seen me play since high school in 1971, 12 years earlier,\u201d Tellmann recalled.<\/p>\n
The Brewers were up 9-7 after eight innings versus the California Angels.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went into the locker room, which was empty. The night was only in the 40s and I hadn\u2019t broken a sweat. I got on my knees in front of my locker and prayed that I would not lose the game with my parents watching\u201d<\/p>\n
Tellmann went out for the ninth inning to face the top of California\u2019s lineup. Hall of Famer Rod Carew led off the inning and Tellmann struck him out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was no celebrating when I played and after Carew swung and missed, I made a small hop and clapped my hands together before I landed. When I realized what I had done, I said to myself \u2018I hope no one saw that.’\u201d Tellmann recollected.<\/p>\n
Former Baltimore Orioles manager and then ABC color commentator Earl Weaver saw it and remarked, \u201cThere\u2019s a happy man.\u201d<\/p>\n
While in Milwaukee, Tellmann had the opportunity to have Thanksgiving dinner with the great Bob Uecker, who was an announcer with the Brewers. You may know Uecker from his work on the television show Mr Belvedere, or his popular Miller Lite commercials, or from the classic baseball movie \u201cMajor League.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what his favorite ballpark was, Tellmann replied \u201cCounty Stadium in Milwaukee. It was a very fair ballpark. During my two years in Milwaukee, I was 8 and 0 at County Stadium and only gave up three home runs there.\u201d <\/p>\n
I asked Tellmann what he thought about recent changes to the game, designed to speed up the game and bring in new fans. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe game has evolved to the point that I can\u2019t watch it anymore,\u201d Tellmann said. \u201cThe introduction of the rule changes literally ruined the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
My final question was about Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates. <\/p>\n
\u201cI had back surgery in January of \u201986 and was recuperating at home, watching a Cubs game on TV. I saw this rookie named Greg Maddox pitch and literally said to myself, \u2018This kid, barring injury, is going to be exceptional.\u2019 A couple of years ago, I watched an inning of a Pirates game and saw Paul Skenes and had the exact same reaction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem is that the Pirates are a small market team with a diminutive market share, unlike the Yankees and Dodgers. Everyone will be disappointed when the Pirates are unable to keep him when his contract runs out. They just don\u2019t have the revenue base to resign him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tellmann moved back to Warren when his parents became ill in 1995. He coached the high school program for three seasons, with the 1997 Dragon squad going 17-4. He ran a baseball school in Falconer where he put 45 area players in college. The summer of 2024, he was the pitching coach of the Jamestown Tarp Skunks, which he described as a \u201cgreat experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
As baseball season moves into high gear and Little League season starts, Warren County\u2019s next Tom Tellmann may step onto the field for the first time. It\u2019s the season of hope when all things and fairy tale stories like this are possible. <\/p>\n
Follow Jeff Haight, official home of Jeff News, on Facebook at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/jeff.haight.315<\/p>\n
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