By Lynn Zahorik, photos courtesy of the Timlin family

As baseball fans, we long for a sunny day or starry night at the ballpark. We miss munching on a box of Cracker Jacks or a bag of peanuts. Most of all, we miss the boys of summer.

In the absence of America’s pastime, we bring baseball home and introduce you to a Castle Pines resident who is a retired Major League Baseball (MLB) player.

In the world of MLB, Mike Timlin is a bit of a legend. As a relief pitcher, Timlin was known for his 93 mph fastball. His sliders and sinkers had a downward break, causing a significant number of ground balls. Timlin pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox. He played on four World Series championship teams in an 18-year career, and was fortunate enough to be a winner in each one of them.

Timlin started playing baseball at the age of 10. Guided by his uncles and grandfather, he gained his early skills through a game called Flies and Skinners, which taught him how to catch grounder and fly balls. Timlin’s mom was an avid baseball fan, and she taught him to love the game. Though he played many sports through school, Timlin found baseball just came naturally. Center fielder was his position for many years until his varsity high school coach instructed him to pitch. Timlin was initially opposed to the change, but his coach told him to pitch or get off the field! Timlin switched positions, and the rest is history.

After retiring from MLB in 2009, Timlin became the pitching coach at Valor Christian for nine years. He said he felt blessed to work alongside some great coaches and to build a brotherhood that teaches players to rely on each other as it teaches in the Bible. Timlin shared that we are not alone, and we are built to work together. “There are many life lessons to learn through the game of baseball,” said Timlin. “There is always tomorrow, forget about what happened today and try to do better the next chance you get.”

Timlin’s partner in life is his wife, Dawn, to whom he has been married for 27 years. They met when Mike was in the minor leagues. Dawn is also a great athlete who enjoys running trails and marathons and has finished the Boston Marathon five times.

Mike and Dawn are the founders of the The Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K Race to Cure ALS, which they founded after Mike’s mom passed away from the disease. The organization has raised more than $2 million toward research for a cure. “We believe that with proper funding, science will make a treatment, if not a cure, a reality sooner rather than later,” stated the Timlins.

Mike and Dawn have two children; Jake who recently graduated from Colorado State University, and Myki who is currently attending St. Edwards University in Texas. They are an active family who enjoys exploring the outdoors together, hiking and trail running throughout Colorado. Mike and Jake love to hunt.

Baseball has always been a mainstay in the culture of America. “For the fans that are craving baseball, I am right there with you,” said Mike. “I would like to see the players on the field, but safety comes first. Just be patient!”