Thornton Kipper
Encyclopedia
Thornton John Kipper was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played from 1953
through 1955
for the Philadelphia Phillies
. Listed at 6' 3", 190 lb., Kipper batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Bagley, Wisconsin
.
A standout pitcher in college, Kipper spent one year (1946) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
before joining the U.S. Navy
during peacetime
. After being discharged in 1948, he returned to school and played for the UW team from 1949 to 1950. in that last season he posted an 11-1 record, and later went 5-0 in the Big Ten Conference
. He also recorded two victories during the 1950 College World Series
and made the All-Star team. Together with catcher Bob Wilson, Kipper formed one of the Big Ten Conference's top batteries. Dynie Mansfield was Kipper's college coach and mentor.
After graduating in 1951, Kipper was signed by the Phillies. In a three-season career, he went 3-4 with 35 strikeout
s and a 5.27 ERA
in 55 appearances, including three starts
, one save
, and 99.0 innings
of work.
Following his majors career, Kipper pitched in the Kansas City Athletics
minor league system. He also played for the Magallanes
team of the Venezuelan Winter League
(1953-54) and in the 1954 Caribbean Series
.
After his playing career, Kipper worked in a paper mill in Lewiston, Idaho
. Later served as a pitching coach
both at Lewis-Clark State College
and Phoenix's Mountain Pointe High School
.
Kipper died in Scottsdale, Arizona
at age 77.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played from 1953
1953 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers *All-Star Game, July 14 at Crosley Field: National League, 5-1-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Cangrejeros de Santurce *College World Series: Michigan...
through 1955
1955 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Brooklyn Dodgers over New York Yankees ; Johnny Podres, MVP*All-Star Game, July 12 at County Stadium: National League, 6-5 -Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Cangrejeros de Santurce...
for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Listed at 6' 3", 190 lb., Kipper batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Bagley, Wisconsin
Bagley, Wisconsin
Bagley is a village in Grant County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin located on the Upper Mississippi River about 9 miles south of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The population was 339 at the 2000 census...
.
A standout pitcher in college, Kipper spent one year (1946) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
before joining the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during peacetime
Peacetime
In politics, peacetime is defined as any period of time where there are no violent conflicts occurring. For example, the time after World War II is considered peacetime in Western Europe and the United States....
. After being discharged in 1948, he returned to school and played for the UW team from 1949 to 1950. in that last season he posted an 11-1 record, and later went 5-0 in the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
. He also recorded two victories during the 1950 College World Series
1950 College World Series
The 1950 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska from June 15 to June 23. It was the first College World Series to be held at the stadium, which hosted the event through 2010....
and made the All-Star team. Together with catcher Bob Wilson, Kipper formed one of the Big Ten Conference's top batteries. Dynie Mansfield was Kipper's college coach and mentor.
After graduating in 1951, Kipper was signed by the Phillies. In a three-season career, he went 3-4 with 35 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 5.27 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 55 appearances, including three starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, one save
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
, and 99.0 innings
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
of work.
Following his majors career, Kipper pitched in the Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
minor league system. He also played for the Magallanes
Navegantes del Magallanes
The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:...
team of the Venezuelan Winter League
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League or Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional is the highest level baseball league in Venezuela.-Brief history:Baseball exploded in Venezuela in 1941, following the world championship in Havana....
(1953-54) and in the 1954 Caribbean Series
1954 Caribbean Series
The VI edition of the Caribbean Series was played in 1954. It was held from February 18 through February 23 with the champions teams from Cuba Panama Puerto Rico and Venezuela . The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice...
.
After his playing career, Kipper worked in a paper mill in Lewiston, Idaho
Lewiston, Idaho
Lewiston is a city in and also the county seat of Nez Perce County in the Pacific Northwest state of Idaho. It is the second-largest city in the northern Idaho region, behind Coeur d'Alene and ninth-largest in the state. Lewiston is the principal city of the Lewiston, ID - Clarkston, WA...
. Later served as a pitching coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
both at Lewis-Clark State College
Lewis-Clark State College
Lewis–Clark State College is a public undergraduate college located in Lewiston, Idaho. It was founded in 1893, and has an annual enrollment of approximately 3,500 students. The college offers over 83 degrees and is well-known for its Criminal Justice, Education, Nursing, and Technical programs.-...
and Phoenix's Mountain Pointe High School
Mountain Pointe High School
Mountain Pointe High School is a secondary school located in the community of Ahwatukee, which is in the southern part of Phoenix, Arizona. Mountain Pointe is a part of the Tempe Union High School District....
.
Kipper died in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
at age 77.