An outfielder, he appeared in 34 Major League Baseball games played for the Cincinnati Reds (1950–1951) and Chicago Cubs (1955).

[1] The 19-year-old Tappe had an unremarkable debut season in professional baseball until he reached the Major Leagues.

After batting just .253 in the Class A Central League,[2] Tappe was recalled by the Reds in September 1950.

Sent into his first game on September 14 at Ebbets Field as a pinch hitter for Reds' pitcher Frank Smith, Tappe hit a home run off Erv Palica of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

[4] Tappe did not return to the Majors until he made the 1955 Cubs' roster coming out of spring training.