All-Time MLB Players From Louisiana: Ken Tatum

There have been a number of individuals from Lafayette, and the Acadiana area, that have played in Major League Baseball over the years.

Obviously, the entire state of Louisiana has produced even more.

As a matter of fact, 246 people born in the state of Louisiana have appeared in a Major League Baseball game, beginning in 1874, with John Peters of New Orleans, who played 11 years, with the likes of the Chicago White Stockings, Milwaukee Grays, Providence Grays, Buffalo Bisons, and Pittsburgh Alleghenys.

All summer, we’ll preview a player from the state of Louisiana that appeared in Major League baseball, starting with players from Lafayette, before spotlighting players from the Acadiana area, and then a few from the state itself.

Yesterday, we spotlighted Kim Batiste.

Today, we feature Ken Tatum.

Born in Alexandria in 1968, Tatum, a right-handed pitcher, who played parts of 6 seasons in Major League Baseball, with the California Angels (1969-1970), Boston Red Sox (1971-1973), and the Chicago White Sox (1974).

After attending Mississippi St. University, Tatum was selected by the Angels in the second round of the 1966 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Tatum made his Major League debut on May 28, 1969, tossing one scoreless inning against the Cleveland Indians.

Tatum went on to appear in 45 games for the Phillies in 1969, all as a reliever, going 7-2 with a 1.36 ERA. and 22 saves in 86.1 innings of work.

That turned out to be Tatum's best year of his career, as he was a credible pitcher after 1969, but never matched his success of that season, when he set career-bests for ERA. and saves, while equaling his career-high for wins.

In 1970, again, Tatum was very good, going 7-4 with a 2.94 ERA. and 17 saves, before being traded to the Boston Red Sox.

After three subpar season in Boston, Tatum went to the Chicago White Sox, where he pitched for one season, appearing in only 10 games, prior to retiring.

In parts of 6 seasons in Major League Baseball, Tatum appeared in 176 games, including 2 as a starter, going 16-12, along with 52 saves and a 2.93 ERA.