View source for Mike Timlin

{{short description|American baseball player (born 1966)}}
{{Distinguish|text=American football coach [[Mike Tomlin]]}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Mike Timlin
|image=Mike Timlin prepares champagne.jpg
|caption=Timlin after winning the 2007 World Series
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1966|3|10}}
|birth_place=[[Midland, Texas]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 8
|debutyear=1991
|debutteam=Toronto Blue Jays
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=September 28
|finalyear=2008
|finalteam=Boston Red Sox
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Games pitched]]
|stat1value=1,058
|stat2label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat2value=75–73
|stat3label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat3value=3.63
|stat4label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat4value=872
|stat5label=[[Save (baseball)|Saves]]
|stat5value=141
|teams=
* [[Toronto Blue Jays]] ({{mlby|1991}}–{{mlby|1997}})
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|1997}}–{{mlby|1998}})
* [[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|1999}}–{{mlby|2000}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|2000}}–{{mlby|2002}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|2002}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|2003}}–{{mlby|2008}})
|highlights=
* 4× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1992}}, {{wsy|1993}}, {{wsy|2004}}, {{wsy|2007}})
}}
'''Michael August Timlin''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|ɪ|m|l|ɪ|n}}; born March 10, 1966) is an American former professional baseball [[relief pitcher]]. Timlin played on four [[World Series]] championship teams in an 18-year career; the [[1992 Toronto Blue Jays season|1992 Toronto Blue Jays]], [[1993 Toronto Blue Jays season|1993 Toronto Blue Jays]], [[2004 Boston Red Sox season|2004 Boston Red Sox]], and [[2007 Boston Red Sox season|2007 Boston Red Sox]].

==Early life==
Timlin was born in [[Midland, Texas]], to Jerome Francis Timlin Sr. and Nancy Sharon Beyer. Timlin graduated from [[Midland High School (Midland, Texas)|Midland High School]]; he attended and pitched at [[Southwestern University]] in [[Georgetown, Texas]], where he was a member of [[Phi Delta Theta]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mike Timlin – Phi Delta Theta Fraternity|url=https://www.phideltatheta.org/famous-phis/mike-timlin/|access-date=July 30, 2017|website=Phi Delta Theta}}</ref>

==Baseball career==

=== Toronto Blue Jays ===

==== Minor leagues ====
Timlin was drafted in the fifth round of the [[1987 Major League Baseball draft]] by the [[Toronto Blue Jays]], and signed with the team on June 6, 1987. From 1987 through 1990, Timlin played for several of Toronto's minor league teams; the [[Minor League Baseball#Rookie|Rookie-level]] [[Medicine Hat Blue Jays]] (1987), the [[Class A (baseball)|Class-A]] [[Myrtle Beach Blue Jays]] (1988), the [[Minor League Baseball#Class A-Advanced|High-A]] [[Dunedin Blue Jays]] (1989–90), and the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Knoxville Blue Jays]] (1990).

==== Major leagues ====
Timlin made his first major league [[Games pitched|appearance]] on opening day, April 8, 1991, pitching {{frac|1|1|3}} innings in relief against the [[Boston Red Sox]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1991/B04080TOR1991.htm |title=Boston Red Sox 6, Toronto Blue Jays 2 |date=April 8, 1991 |website=[[Retrosheet]]}}</ref> Two days later, he recorded his first strikeout ([[Tom Brunansky]]) and had his first [[Win (baseball)|win]], pitching an inning in relief against the Red Sox.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1991/B04100TOR1991.htm |title=Toronto Blue Jays 5, Boston Red Sox 3 |date=April 10, 1991 |website=[[Retrosheet]]}}</ref> For the [[1991 Toronto Blue Jays season|regular season]], Timlin appeared in 63 games, all but three in relief, compiling a record of 11–6 with three [[Save (baseball)|save]]s and a 3.16 [[earned run average]] (ERA). In the postseason, he made four relief appearances in the [[1991 American League Championship Series|American League Championship Series]] (ALCS) against the [[Minnesota Twins]], including taking the [[Loss (baseball)|loss]] in Game 3 after giving up a home run to [[Mike Pagliarulo]] in the 10th inning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1991/B10110TOR1991.htm |title=Minnesota Twins 3, Toronto Blue Jays 2 |date=October 11, 1991 |website=[[Retrosheet]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=April 15, 2016|title=1991 ALCS, Game 3: Twins @ Blue Jays|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVBtV7Kx-0g&t=156m47s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/rVBtV7Kx-0g |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=July 31, 2017|website=[[YouTube]]|publisher=Classic Twins}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Timlin was sixth in [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]] voting.<ref>{{cite web|title=1991 Awards Voting|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1991.shtml#all_AL_ROY_voting|access-date=July 30, 2017|website=[[Baseball-Reference]]}}</ref>

During the [[1992 Major League Baseball season|1992 season]], Timlin spent time with the Single-A [[Dunedin Blue Jays]] (six games), the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Syracuse Chiefs]] (seven games), and the major leagues (26 games). With Toronto, he had an 0–2 record with one save and a 4.12 ERA. In the postseason, he made two relief appearances in the [[1992 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] against the [[Oakland Athletics]], and two relief appearances in the [[1992 World Series|World Series]] against the [[Atlanta Braves]]. He recorded his first postseason save in the deciding Game 6, facing a single batter, [[Otis Nixon]], who Timlin threw out at first base on a [[Bunt (baseball)|bunt]] attempt in the 11th inning, for the final out of the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1992/B10240ATL1992.htm |title=Toronto Blue Jays 4, Atlanta Braves 3 |date=October 24, 1992 |website=[[Retrosheet]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=November 28, 2013|title=92 WS, GM 6, TOR@ATL: Blue Jays win the World Series|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9pCrFxwjeo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/U9pCrFxwjeo |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=July 30, 2017|work=[[YouTube]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

For the [[1993 Major League Baseball season|1993 season]], Timlin played four games with Single-A Dunedin and 54 games with Toronto, all in relief. His record with Toronto was 4–2, with 1 save and a 4.69 ERA. In the postseason, he made one appearance in the [[1993 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] against the [[Chicago White Sox]], and two appearances in the [[1993 World Series|World Series]] against the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]. The Blue Jays won the World Series for the second consecutive year, giving Timlin two [[World Series ring]]s in his first three MLB seasons.

Timlin made 34 appearances with Toronto in the [[1994 Major League Baseball season|1994 season]] (0–1, with two saves and a 5.18 ERA), and 31 appearances in the [[1995 Major League Baseball season|1995 season]] (4–3, with five saves and a 2.14 ERA). In 1995, he also appeared in 8 games with Triple-A Syracuse. For the [[1996 Major League Baseball season|1996 season]], he appeared in 59 games with Toronto (1–6, with 31 saves and a 3.65 ERA). During the [[1997 Major League Baseball season|1997 season]], Timlin made 38 appearances with Toronto through July 29; he had a 3–2 record, with nine saves and a 2.87 ERA. Timlin and [[Paul Spoljaric]] were traded to the [[Seattle Mariners]] in exchange for [[José Cruz Jr.]] on July 31, 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 6, 1997 |title=Timlin braces for Seattle reception, reliever knows trade for Cruz Jr. unpopular |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-08-06-1997218108-story.html |access-date=May 6, 2021 |website=[[Baltimore Sun]]|via=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In his seven seasons with the Blue Jays, Timlin appeared in 305 games, compiling a record of 23–22 with 52 saves and a 3.62 ERA. In {{fraction|393|1|3}} innings pitched, he struck out 331 batters while walking 167.

===Seattle Mariners===
Timlin made his first appearance with the Mariners on August 1, 1997, pitching one inning in relief against the [[Milwaukee Brewers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1997/B08010MIL1997.htm |title=Milwaukee Brewers 8, Seattle Mariners 3 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |date=August 1, 1997}}</ref> He made 26 total appearances with Seattle during the regular season; he had a 3–2 record, with one save and a 3.86 ERA. He appeared in one game in the [[1997 American League Division Series|American League Division Series]] (ALDS), giving up four runs to the [[Baltimore Orioles]] in {{fraction||2|3}} of an inning during Game 1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1997/B10010SEA1997.htm |title=Baltimore Orioles 9, Seattle Mariners 3 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |date=October 1, 1997}}</ref>

For the [[1998 Major League Baseball season|1998 season]], Timlin appeared in 70 games with Seattle; he had a 3–3 record, 19 saves, and a 2.95 ERA. After the season, Timlin became a [[free agent]]. In his two seasons with Seattle, he appeared in 96 games with 20 saves, while striking out 69 and walking 21 in 105 innings pitched, with a 3.17 ERA.

===Baltimore Orioles===
On November 13, 1998, Timlin signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the [[Baltimore Orioles]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Justice |first=Richard |date=February 28, 1999 |title=Orioles’ Timlin Savors Closer Role |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/02/28/orioles-timlin-savors-closer-role/a21c6f02-d933-42da-9c69-88bc30b1e8cd/ |page=D8}}</ref> During the [[1999 Major League Baseball season|1999 season]], he appeared in 62 games for the Orioles, going 3–9 with 27 saves and a 3.57 ERA. For the [[2000 Major League Baseball season|2000 season]], he was with the Orioles through late July, appearing in 37 games, with a record of 2–3, 11 saves, and a 4.89 ERA. On July 29, 2000, Timlin was traded (along with cash) to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] in exchange for [[Chris Richard (baseball)|Chris Richard]] and minor league player Mark Nussbeck.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 29, 2000|title=Cardinals strengthen bullpen by acquiring Orioles' Timlin|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2000/0729/658999.html|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> In two seasons with Baltimore, Timlin appeared in 99 games, compiling a record of 5–12, with 38 saves and a 4.04 ERA, while striking out 76 and walking 38 in 98 innings pitched.

===St. Louis Cardinals===
Timlin made his first appearance with the Cardinals (and in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]]) on July 30, 2000, pitching one inning in relief against the [[New York Mets]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2000/B07300NYN2000.htm |title=New York Mets 4, St. Louis Cardinals 2 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |date=July 30, 2000}}</ref> He made 25 appearances with the Cardinals during the regular season; he had a 3–1 record, with one save and a 3.34 ERA. He appeared in two games of the [[2000 National League Division Series|National League Division Series]] (NLDS) against the Atlanta Braves, and in three games of the [[2000 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]] (NLCS) against the Mets. He took the loss in Game 2 of the NLCS, giving up an [[Earned run|unearned run]] while pitching the ninth inning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2000/B10120SLN2000.htm |title=New York Mets 6, St. Louis Cardinals 5 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |date=October 12, 2000}}</ref>

For the [[2001 Major League Baseball season|2001 season]], Timlin appeared in 67 games with St. Louis; he had a 4–5 record, three saves, and a 4.09 ERA. He had his first major league [[at bat]] on October 6 against the [[Houston Astros]], grounding out in the fifth inning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10060SLN2001.htm |title=St. Louis Cardinals 10, Houston Astros 6 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |date=October 6, 2001}}</ref> He made one appearance in the postseason, pitching {{fraction|1|1|3}} scoreless innings against the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] in the [[2001 National League Division Series|NLDS]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10120SLN2001.htm |title=Arizona Diamondbacks 5, St. Louis Cardinals 3 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |date=October 12, 2001}}</ref>

During the [[2002 Major League Baseball season|2002 season]], he was with the Cardinals through late July, appearing in 42 games, with a record of 1–3 and a 2.51 ERA. On April 19, he made his first [[Starting pitcher|start]] since his rookie season, taking the loss against the Milwaukee Brewers; he pitched {{fraction|4|1|3}} innings, giving up four runs (all earned) while striking out three batters and walking one.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2002/B04190MIL2002.htm |title=Milwaukee Brewers 6, St. Louis Cardinals 1 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |date=April 19, 2002}}</ref> On July 29, 2002, Timlin, [[Plácido Polanco]], and [[Bud Smith]] were traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for [[Scott Rolen]], [[Doug Nickle]], and cash.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 29, 2002|title=Phillies deal Rolen to Cardinals for Polanco, Smith|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2002/0729/1411479.html|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>

In his three seasons with St. Louis, Timlin appeared in 134 games, compiling a record of 8–9, with four saves and a 3.36 ERA. In {{fraction|163|1|3}} innings pitched, he struck out 108 batters while walking 46.

===Philadelphia Phillies===
Timlin made his first appearance with the Phillies on July 31, 2002, pitching two innings in relief (and getting the win) against the [[San Francisco Giants]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2002/B07310PHI2002.htm |title=Philadelphia Phillies 8, San Francisco Giants 6 |date=July 31, 2002 |website=[[Retrosheet]]}}</ref> Through the end of the regular season, he appeared in 30 games with Philadelphia, compiling a 3–3 record and a 3.79 ERA. In {{fraction|35|2|3}} innings pitched, he struck out 15 batters while walking seven. After the season, Timlin again became a free agent.

===Boston Red Sox===
On January 6, 2003, Timlin signed a one-year, $1.85 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=October 26, 2005|title=The Theo file: 2003|url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/gallery/10_26_05_Theo_2003?pg=7|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=[[Boston Globe]]}}</ref> During the [[2003 Major League Baseball season|2003 season]], he appeared in 72 games for Boston, compiling a 6–4 record, with 2 saves and a 3.55 ERA. In the postseason, he appeared in three games of the [[2003 American League Division Series|ALDS]] against the Oakland Athletics, and five games of the [[2003 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] against the [[New York Yankees]]. In those eight games, he pitched {{fraction|9|1|3}} innings, facing 32 batters while striking out 11 and only giving up two walks, one hit, and no runs. After the season, Timlin was re-signed by the Red Sox to a two-year, $5.25 million contract in November 2003.<ref name=":0" />

Timlin made 76 appearances during the [[2004 Major League Baseball season|2004 season]]; he had a 5–4 record, with one save and a 4.13 ERA. On September 3, he made his 800th major league appearance, becoming only the 29th pitcher in major league history to reach that mark. In the postseason he appeared in three games of the [[2004 American League Division Series|ALDS]] against the [[Anaheim Angels]], five games of the [[2004 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] against the Yankees, and three games of the [[2004 World Series|World Series]] against the St. Louis Cardinals. In those 11 games, he pitched {{fraction|11|2|3}} innings, facing 56 batters while striking out seven and giving up seven walks, 15 hits, and eight runs. With Boston's sweep of St. Louis in the World Series, Timlin earned the third championship of his career.

Timlin's [[2005 Major League Baseball season|2005 season]] yielded the best numbers of his career. He made 81 appearances (a career high) with a record of 7–3, 13 saves, and a 2.24 ERA. In {{frac|80|1|3}} innings pitched, Timlin struck out 59 while walking 20 and only allowing two home runs. He pitched an inning in the [[2005 American League Division Series|ALDS]], giving up one run as the Red Sox were swept by the White Sox.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2005/B10070BOS2005.htm |title=Chicago White Sox 5, Boston Red Sox 3 |date=October 7, 2005 |website=[[Retrosheet]]}}</ref> On November 2, 2005, Timlin signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract extension with the Red Sox.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 3, 2005|title=Timlin expects Foulke to close again for Red Sox|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2212968|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=[[ESPN]]|language=en}}</ref>

After his first three seasons with the Red Sox, Timlin struggled with injuries to his right shoulder and left oblique in 2006 and the beginning of 2007, making multiple visits to the [[disabled list]]. For the [[2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 season]], he made 68 appearances with a record of 6–6, nine saves, and a 4.36 ERA. On October 25, 2006, Timlin signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract to remain with the Red Sox.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 25, 2006|title=Red Sox sign reliever Timlin to one-year, $2.8M deal|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2638563|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=[[ESPN]]|language=en}}</ref>

During the [[2007 Major League Baseball season|2007 season]], Timlin appeared in 50 games with a record of 2–1, one save, and a 3.42 ERA. He also made eight appearances with the Triple-A [[Pawtucket Red Sox]] while rehabilitating. He made his 1,000th career appearance on August 31, against the Baltimore Orioles.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 1, 2007|title=O's hold off slumping BoSox to end 9-game skid|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270831102|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506072426/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270831102|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2021|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=[[ESPN]]|language=en}}</ref> In the postseason, he made three appearances in the [[2007 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] against the [[Cleveland Indians]], and three appearances in the [[2007 World Series|World Series]] against the [[Colorado Rockies]]. In those six games, he pitched {{fraction|5|2|3}} innings, facing 30 batters while striking out seven, issuing no walks, and giving up two runs. With Boston's sweep of Colorado in the World Series, Timlin earned the fourth championship of his career. He is the only pitcher to appear in, and win, four World Series without winning at least one with the New York Yankees. On December 7, 2007, Timlin was re-signed to another one-year deal.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 7, 2007|title=Red Sox sign pitcher Timlin on one year deal|url=https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/red-sox-sign-pitcher-timlin-on-one-year-idUSL0701142620071207|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

Timlin made 47 appearances during the [[2008 Major League Baseball season|2008 season]], with a record of 4–4, 1 save, and a 5.66 ERA (the highest of his career). He also made five rehabilitation appearances with Triple-A Pawtucket. In the postseason, he appeared in two games against the [[Tampa Bay Rays]] in the [[2008 American League Championship Series|ALCS]]; he took the loss in Game 2 after giving up a run in the 11th inning,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2008/B10110TBA2008.htm |title=Tampa Bay Rays 9, Boston Red Sox 8 |date=October 11, 2008 |website=[[Retrosheet]]}}</ref> and his two innings in relief during Game 4, which Boston lost by nine runs, would be the final MLB appearance of his career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2008/B10140BOS2008.htm |title=Tampa Bay Rays 13, Boston Red Sox 4 |date=October 14, 2008 |website=[[Retrosheet]]}}</ref> After the season ended, Timlin again became a free agent.

In his six seasons with Boston, Timlin appeared in 394 MLB games, compiling a record of 30–22, with 27 saves and a 3.76 ERA. In 409 innings pitched, he struck out 273 batters while walking 98.

===Late career===
On July 29, 2009, Timlin signed a minor league contract with the [[Colorado Rockies]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-07-30 |title=Rockies Assign Timlin to Casper |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rockies-assign-timlin-to-casper/n-3874761 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=OurSports Central |language=en}}</ref> He made six minor league appearances; two for the Rookie-level [[Casper Ghosts]] and then four for the Triple-A [[Colorado Springs Sky Sox]]. On August 13, 2009, Timlin was released by the Rockies, following which he retired from baseball.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Etkin |first=Jack |date=August 14, 2009 |title=Timlin Released |url=http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/08/14/timlin-released/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231220702/http://www.insidetherockies.com/2009/08/14/timlin-released/ |archive-date=2010-12-31 |website=Inside the Rockies}}</ref>

===Career totals===
In 18 MLB seasons, Timlin compiled a record of 75–73, with 141 saves, and a 3.63 ERA. In {{fraction|1,204|1|3}} innings pitched, he struck out 872 batters while walking 377. As a hitter, he had seven at-bats (all with St. Louis); he struck out four times and did not reach base. {{As of|2025|November|alt=As of the end of the 2025 season}}, Timlin ranks eighth all-time in appearances for MLB pitchers, having played in 1,058 games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/G_p_career.shtml |title=Career Leaders & Records for Games Played |website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]] |access-date=July 30, 2017}}</ref>

Timlin wore [[Uniform number (Major League Baseball)|uniform number]] 40 with Toronto, Seattle, and Baltimore. When he was traded to St. Louis in 2000, uniform number 40 was already in use by [[Andy Benes]], so Timlin changed to uniform number 50. He later kept that number with Philadelphia and Boston.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Timlin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/timlimi01.shtml |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=[[Baseball Reference]]}}</ref> Timlin was [[Ejection (sports)#Baseball|ejected]] twice in his MLB career, both times during the 2002 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/T/Ptimlm001.htm |title=Mike Timlin |website=[[Retrosheet]] |access-date=August 1, 2017}}</ref>

Timlin was also a member of the [[United States national baseball team]] that competed in the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]].

== Pitching style ==
Listed at {{convert|6|ft|4|in|m}} and {{convert|205|lb|kg}}, Timlin threw and batted right-handed. He was known for his [[Sinker (pitch)|sinking fastball]] that reached {{convert|94|mph|kph|abbr=on}}. His sinker and slider had a downward break, inducing a significant number of [[ground ball]]s.<ref name=":1" />

==Honors==
Timlin was the 2007 recipient of the [[Lou Gehrig Memorial Award]], which is awarded annually to an MLB player who has made exemplary contributions to "both his community and philanthropy."<ref>{{cite journal|date=January 7, 2009|title=SU ALUMNUS AND CURRENT RED SOX TIMLIN WINS LOU GEHRIG AWARD|url=https://southwesternpirates.com/sports/m-basebl/2008-09/releases/010709aaa.html|access-date=July 30, 2017|website=[[Southwestern Pirates]]}}</ref>

On April 19, 2009, Timlin was honored by the Red Sox, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on "Mike Timlin Day" at [[Fenway Park]].

In 2010, Timlin was inducted to Southwestern University's Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|date=2010|title=Michael A. Timlin - Inducted - 2010|url=http://southwesternpirates.com/general/halloffame/bios/timlin.mike?view=bio|access-date=July 30, 2017|website=[[Southwestern Pirates]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 22, 2011 |title=Mike Timlin Induction into Southwestern University's Athletic Hall of Fame |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nKKurCK7fc |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher=[[Southwestern Pirates]] |via=}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Timlin has three sisters.<ref name="about5k">{{cite web|title=About - The Sharon Timlin Memorial 5k Race to Cure ALS|url=http://sharontimlinrace.org/about/|access-date=July 31, 2017|website=Sharon Timlin Memorial Race}}</ref> He and his wife have two children, born in 1996 and 2000. The Timlins are organizers of "The Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K Race to Cure ALS", held annually since 2004; Timlin's mother died of [[amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]] (ALS) in March 2002.<ref name=about5k/> Timlin identifies as an [[evangelical Christian]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hohler |first1=Bob |title=Faith binds many on Sox |url=https://archive.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/08/31/faith_binds_many_on_sox |access-date=April 16, 2022 |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=August 31, 2005 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2006, with former teammates [[Johnny Damon]] and [[Édgar Rentería]], Timlin was featured on an episode of the animated television series ''[[Arthur (TV series)|Arthur]]'', providing his voice for the Elwood City Grebes pitcher "Winlin."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844403/ |title=The Curse of the Grebes/Arthur Changes Gears |website=[[IMDb]] |date=2017 |access-date=July 30, 2017}}</ref>

During the [[2017 Major League Baseball season|2017 season]], Timlin worked as [[color commentator]] with [[Sports commentator|play-by-play announcer]] [[Dave O'Brien (sportscaster)|Dave O'Brien]] for several Red Sox games in July.<ref>{{cite news|last=Burdge|first=Lucy|date=July 27, 2017|title=Mike Timlin responds to critics of his broadcasting skills|website=[[WEEI-FM|WEEI.com]]|url=http://www.weei.com/blogs/lucy-burdge/mike-timlin-responds-critics-his-broadcasting-skills|url-status=live|access-date=July 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730121322/http://www.weei.com/blogs/lucy-burdge/mike-timlin-responds-critics-his-broadcasting-skills|archive-date=July 30, 2017}}</ref>

Timlin was present at the concert where the [[2017 Las Vegas shooting|Las Vegas shooting]] occurred on October 1, 2017 but escaped unharmed.<ref>{{cite news|last=Buell|first=Spencer|date=October 2, 2017|title=Boston Red Sox pitcher Mike Timlin is fine after the shooting in Las Vegas|website=[[Boston (magazine)|Boston]]|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2017/10/02/red-sox-mike-timlin-shooting-las-vegas/|access-date=October 2, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003124444/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2017/10/02/red-sox-mike-timlin-shooting-las-vegas/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Timlin is the [[godparent|godfather]] of teammate [[Paul Spoljaric]]'s son, Garner.<ref>{{cite web |title=Garner Špoljaric - Baseball |url=https://gohatters.com/sports/baseball/roster/garner-poljaric/10040 |publisher=[[Stetson Hatters|Stetson University Athletics]] |access-date=March 14, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball career games finished leaders]]
* [[2006 World Baseball Classic rosters]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2015/10/16/dude-watch-the-bunt-mike-timlin-recalls-final-out-of-92-world-series.html |title='Dude, watch the bunt' — Mike Timlin recalls final out of '92 World Series |first=Paul |last=Hunter |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=August 1, 2017}}

==External links==
{{baseballstats|mlb=123348|espn=2464|br=t/timlimi01|fangraphs=1187|brm=timlin001mic|retro=Ptimlm001}}
*{{twitter|themiketimlin}}

{{1992 Toronto Blue Jays}}
{{1993 Toronto Blue Jays}}
{{2004 Boston Red Sox}}
{{2007 Boston Red Sox}}
{{Lou Gehrig Memorial Award}}
{{United States roster 2006 World Baseball Classic}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Timlin, Mike}}
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