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 Billy Murphy.

Today, we feature Ken Tatum.

Born in Alexandria in 1944, Tatum, a right-handed pitcher, 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).

Tatum went to college at Mississippi St., before being 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 perfect inning against the Cleveland Indians.

Tatum went on to appear in 45 games for the Angels in 1969, all in relief, going 7-2, to go along with a career-high 22 saves, and a sparkling 1.36 ERA.

Unfortunately, Tatum would never again match the success of his rookie campaign.

He did have a solid 1970 season, going 7-4 with a 2.34 ERA., to go along with 17 saves, but then never reached double-digit saves again, nor did he manage to have an ERA. of under 3.00.

Tatum did have some success at the plate, despite being a pitcher, homering four times in only 45 career at-bats.