Our first Alumni installment focuses on former Flyers standout pitcher, Tim Shannon.  Tim recently earned his first NCAA Division I collegiate victory over Florida Gulf Coast University on the Golden Gophers spring trip to Florida, completing six innings of work, allowing just two earned runs on six hits, while striking out three.  He cruised to his first victory, but success hasn’t come without its hurdles for Tim.  His first win in the maroon and gold touches just the surface of his remarkable story.  

Following a tremendous career for Hopkins, Tim elected to accept a baseball roster position with the University of Michigan in the Fall of 2012.  As a Wolverine, Tim earned the school’s Athletic Achievement Award in 2013 – he has always been an incredibly bright student. That same spring, Tim had an unfortunate injury to his arm – he tore his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), and had been advised to undergo Tommy John surgery.  Amidst a grueling, arduous recovery process, Tim decided to transfer to the University of Minnesota with no guarantees that he would have an opportunity to return to the pitcher’s mound.  Months and months of recovery time – UCL-specific exercises, hard work in the weight room and throwing programs ensued.  Nearly two seasons later, Tim had been given the green light to “let it loose,” and was signed by the Waterloo Bucks of the Northwoods League.

With an astonishing amount of hard work, dedication and commitment to getting back “on the hill,” 2015 saw Tim Shannon earn a roster spot for the Golden Gophers.  His story is one of several ups and downs and peaks and valleys; and of him exemplifying high character, and a deeply rooted will and dedication to return to form.  It’s a story reminiscent of the game of baseball – a game that tests your individual will and capacity to deal with adversity on a daily basis.  Tim has passed the test with flying colors, just as he his every other test his entire life.  It’s a story, however, with much left to be told.  Tim is just a redshirt sophomore for the Gophers.

We caught up with Tim recently as he was on the bus with his Gopher teammates in Richmond, VA, headed to VCU to make his 3rd career Division I start.  We asked him about his experience playing for the Flyers from 2010-2012, and about his thoughts on American Legion Baseball in general.  

“American Legion Baseball is the best way to get ready for college baseball, and was a huge part of my development.  You have to learn how to grind through a season, and be willing to show up and put the work in every day, which are both crucial at the college level.  Playing the Legion Baseball [for the Flyers] was the best thing I could have done to prepare myself to play at the college level.”       

In his start at Virginia Commonwealth, by the way, Shannon posted his third consecutive quality start, completing 6.1 innings, allowing just three earned runs on five hits in a non-decision.