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Michael August Timlin (; 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, 1993 Toronto Blue Jays, 2004 Boston Red Sox, and 2007 Boston Red Sox.
During the 1992 season, Timlin spent time with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays (six games), the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (seven games), and the major league Blue Jays (26 games). With Toronto he compiled a record of 0–2 with one save and a 4.12 ERA. In the postseason, he made two relief appearances in the ALCS against the Oakland Athletics, and two relief appearances in the 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 attempt in the 11th inning, for the final out of the series.
For the 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 ALCS against the Chicago White Sox, and two appearances in the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Blue Jays won the World Series for the second consecutive year, giving Timlin two World Series rings in his first three MLB seasons.
Timlin made 34 appearances with Toronto in the 1994 season (0–1, with two saves and a 5.18 ERA), and 31 appearances in the 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 season, he appeared in 59 games with Toronto (1–6, with 31 saves and a 3.65 ERA). During the 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.
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 innings pitched, he struck out 331 batters while walking 167.
For the 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 a total of 96 games with 20 saves, while striking out 69 and walking 21 in 105 innings pitched, with a 3.17 ERA.
For the 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. He made one appearance in the postseason, pitching scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS.
During the 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 since his rookie season, taking the loss against the Milwaukee Brewers; he pitched innings, giving up four runs (all earned) while striking out three batters and walking one. On July 29, 2002, Timlin, Plácido Polanco, and Bud Smith were traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Doug Nickle, Scott Rolen, and cash.
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 innings pitched, he struck out 108 batters while walking 46.
Timlin made 76 appearances during the 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 ALDS against the Anaheim Angels, five games of the ALCS against the Yankees, and three games of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. In those 11 games, he pitched 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 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 innings pitched, Timlin struck out 59 while walking 20 and only allowing two home runs. He pitched an inning in the ALDS, giving up one run as the Red Sox were swept by the White Sox. On November 2, 2005, Timlin signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract extension with the Red Sox.
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 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.
During the 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. In the postseason, he made three appearances in the ALCS against the Cleveland Indians, and three appearances in the World Series against the Colorado Rockies. In those six games, he pitched 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.
Timlin made 47 appearances during the 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 ALCS; he took the loss in Game 2 after giving up a run in the 11th inning, and his two innings in relief during Game 4, which Boston lost by nine runs, would be the final MLB appearance of his career. 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.
Timlin wore 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. Timlin was ejected twice in his MLB career, both times during the 2002 season.
Timlin was also a member of the United States national baseball team that competed in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
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.
In 2006, with former teammates Johnny Damon and Édgar Rentería, Timlin was featured on an episode of the animated television series Arthur, providing his voice for the Elwood City Grebes pitcher "Winlin."
During the 2017 season, Timlin worked as color commentator with play-by-play announcer Dave O'Brien for several Red Sox games in July.
Timlin was present at the concert where the Las Vegas shooting occurred on October 1, 2017, but escaped unharmed.
Timlin is the godparent of Paul Spoljaric's son, Garner.
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