Appreciating Timlin
On April 8, 1991, Mike Timlin threw one last pitch in the SkyDome bullpen, jogged toward the infield, and climbed the mound to pitch against the Boston Red Sox. It was the eighth inning, and the Blue Jays trailed, 6-2.
Al Leiter had just jogged the mound after recording two outs in the inning, having allowed a run and left two men on base. Roger Clemens sat in the other dugout, one inning left in him. Tom Brunansky stood in the batter’s box. Timlin reared and fired the first pitch of his major league career.
Timlin would walk two over the next two innings, not allow any earned runs, and retire Jody Reed for the final out of the ninth. The game stayed 6-2. Clemens got the win.
Timlin has made that jog from the bullpen 1,050 more times since, the latest last night in the Red Sox 13-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, a team that came into existence seven years after Timlin made his first relief appearance. No righthander has ever come on in relief than Mike Timlin. If a reliever pitched in every single game his team played, it would take him 6 ½ years to catch Timlin.
Nowadays, the outings aren’t typically that important, like last night’s three-batter, eight-inning sweep-up. He was once the guy you gave the ball to when you needed three outs; now he’s the guy you give the ball to when you want to rest the guy you want to give the ball to when you need three outs. His ERA this year is 5.96. His highest previous ERA in a season was 4.89, with Baltimore in 2000.
His recent hardships should not diminish what he’s accomplished. It's a record of longevity, but you have to be good for the manager to want to throw you out that many times, and exceedingly durable. Timlin owns an obscure piece of history, but a piece of history nonetheless. It meant something to the Red Sox that he passed Kent Tekulve last night.
“We wanted to get Timlin in there,” Francona said. “We knew the significance of that. That’s a tremendous achievement. That’s a lot of appearances.”
Tony Massarotti offers a nice tribute to Timlin this morning. Chad Finn did an excellent job recapping his career accomplishments last week, and there's also reaction from Timlin in Amalie Benjamin's notebook.
Comment
Permalink
Email
Timlin has been a warrior since he put on a Red Sox uniform. He's never complained ... never made an excuse ... never rocked the boat ... always taken the ball ... never spoken out of turn, ducked the media, or given anything less than all he has. If this is his swan song, then he sure deserves all the bells and whistles that go with it. He's been a special player for this team.
I always liked what he said to the camera about Wakefield after the 07 World Series. He made sure that everyone knew what Wake had done for the team by removing himself from roster consideration, and allowing Jon Lester to have his magic moment in Game 4.
The Bonus track should have been Coco
He's a wonderful, decent man. Yeah, his sinker's about gone. Happens to all of us. It's too bad that some fans want to treat that like it's a sign of some moral failing, rather than a simple fact of life. He should go out with dignity, and our thanks.
If he wants it, I hope there's a spot for him somewhere in the organization.
He's been a great pitcher for a long time, and I just hope he knows it's time to walk away at the end of the season. He never seemed like the type to hang on just for stats or for records, but now that he's got this one, I can't see any reason for him to try to come back next season. Here's hoping he retires with a B on his cap. I'm not assuming he'll be a Hall of Famer, but he's certainly been a workhorse for years.
Hey Adam are you Adam Kilgore from York, ME?
You need an editor. No really. Play "Wher'e's Waldo ... err Typo" in this post. It's sort of fun.
The worst songs ever recorded in the history of music.
Serious. Horrible lyrics. Made my ears bleed.
Red Sox players should sue the songwriter for defamation of character and character assassination.
The singers voice is great listening for the deaf who's hearing aid batteries have died.
To the singer/songwriters? Get a job because your are 110% certified
TALENTLESS.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Red Sox Twitter
E-mail your question
browse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com