TTM Stats
- Sent: 6/23/2022 | Received: 7/5/2022 | 12 Days
- ’87 Topps, ’91 Fleer, ’92 Leaf, ’92 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 12/19/2022 | Received: 1/5/2023 | 16 Days
- ’88 Fleer, ’89 Donruss, ’89 Topps, ’89 Upper Deck, ’91 Fleer, ’92 Donruss
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 8/23/2023 | Received: 9/1/2023 | 8 Days
- ’86 Topps Traded, ’88 Fleer, ’88 Topps, ’89 Topps, ’91 Donruss, ’91 Fleer
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 7/16/2024 | Received: 7/26/2024 | 10 Days
- ’88 Topps, ’89 Bowman, ’89 Fleer, ’89 Score, ’89 Topps, ’90 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Bob Kipper’s baseball journey is a testament to perseverance, professionalism, and quiet excellence. Though he never reached superstar status, Kipper carved out a respectable career as a reliable left-handed reliever and later transitioned into a long and impactful coaching career—remaining connected to the game he loved for decades.
Born on July 8, 1964, in Aurora, Illinois, Bob Kipper showed promise early in his life as a left-handed pitcher with a smooth delivery and good control. His talent caught the eye of scouts, and in 1982, he was selected by the California Angels as the 8th overall pick in the first round of the MLB Draft—a clear indication of how highly he was regarded coming out of high school.
Kipper made his major league debut with the Angels in 1985, appearing in just a few games. That same season, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a deal that sent veteran pitcher John Candelaria to California. It was in Pittsburgh that Kipper would spend the bulk of his playing career and leave his biggest mark.
With the Pirates, Kipper gradually transitioned from a starter to a dependable relief pitcher. Between 1986 and 1992, he became a fixture in the Pirates’ bullpen, known for his ability to face both righties and lefties effectively. His best season came in 1989, when he posted a 2.93 ERA in 52 appearances, striking out 39 batters in 65 innings.
Though not a high-velocity pitcher, Kipper relied on a solid fastball and an excellent changeup, mixing pitches well and attacking hitters with intelligence and poise. He wasn’t flashy, but he was consistent—a quality every manager values in a reliever.
After his tenure with the Pirates, Kipper spent a brief period with the Minnesota Twins in 1993. That season would be his last in the majors, closing out a eight-year MLB career. In total, Kipper appeared in 271 games, compiling a 27–37 record with a 4.34 ERA and 11 saves.
Following his playing days, Bob Kipper continued to dedicate himself to baseball through coaching. He found a home in the Boston Red Sox organization, where he spent many years working with young pitchers in the minor leagues. He was praised for his knowledge, patience, and ability to teach the art of pitching.
From 2003 onward, Kipper served as a pitching coach at various levels in the Red Sox system, including a stint as bullpen coach for the major league club in 2015. His work helped shape the careers of numerous pitchers who eventually made their way to the majors.
Bob Kipper’s name may not be etched in Cooperstown, but his impact on the game is undeniable. As a player, he exemplified resilience and reliability. As a coach, he became a mentor, guide, and teacher for the next generation. He represents the many figures in baseball who don’t always get the spotlight but are essential to the fabric of the sport.
Whether on the mound at Three Rivers Stadium or in the bullpen of a minor league park, Bob Kipper gave his all to the game—and baseball is better for it.
The Score on Bob Kipper – 6.5
I don’t think I would describe Bob’s signature as small, but I would say it’s compact. You can see two names, so he separates them out, but each name seems like one letter right over the top of the other. I think some of my favorite cards here are the 1991 Fleer cards – because the Pirates are the only team colors that card design goes with. But anything with that old Pirates piped hat, like the 1986 and ’87 Topps cards, are pretty great too.
Thanks, Mr. Kipper! I’m giving these a 6.5.
These aren’t the first returns I’ve received from him. To see the others check out these posts:
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.