Michigan State University Athletics
Catching up with pitcher Tim Day
4/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 22, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After having an exciting two seasons at MSU, Tim Day went through reconstructive surgery, sat out a whole season, and is now battling back to be a contender.
"Emotionally, it was a huge lift to be back out there playing the sport I love," Day said with a smile on his face. "Having that ball in my hand is just the greatest feeling in the world."
The injury occurred from many years of wear and tear due to pitching. Day underwent Tommy John Surgery in July 2003, where he had a complete reconstruction of a ligament in his elbow.
Day was able to refocus during his medically red-shirted year and realize his passion for the game.
"Sitting out the season just helped me refocus," he said. "If I was injured for a full year and didn't love this game, I don't think I would be back. But I do love this game. I want to show people that I am back to where I was before and even stronger."
Since the team consists of 33 players and only 25 can travel, Tim tried to get use to not playing or watching the games and staying behind.
"The hardest adjustment for me last season was just sitting home alone on the weekends while the team was traveling," Day said
But during practice and home games, Day was there, helping his team out as much as he could.
"What I tried to show my team the most was my work ethic," Day said. "I have really good work ethic. Since I couldn't throw, I aimed to make the whole season on getting stronger and getting better with the skills that I have. I tried to show my team not to give up and to work harder."
Tim has been working hard from the start. He has had many positive influences in his life, but the most influential has been there from the beginning.
"Ever since I can remember I have been playing baseball," Day said. "My dad got me started just by throwing pitches and whatnot. He has been my biggest influence. He was a softball player, so I would always watch him play and it would always just come natural to me to do what my dad did."
Pitching is something that runs in the Day family. Tim's cousin, Zach Day, pitches for the Washington Nationals and is a three year veteran in the major leagues. Even though they are not too close, Zach still has helped influence Tim
"I look up to him as a role model. We are as close, personally; we don't really get to see each other that much. I talk to him through e-mail and stuff like that, but it is always nice to see someone that you know make it to the major leagues. I want to get there, face him, or get on a team with him; that would be awesome."
Day's goal at the end of the season is to be drafted into the major leagues. But while he is still here, he would like to help make a legacy and set records at State, some of which he has already done.
During his freshman season, Day set a new single-season record with 11 wins and only three losses from the mound. During his sophomore season, Day was a dependable second starter and closed many close games, including eight strikeouts. So far this season, Day has had 28 strikeouts, a high of five vs. Iowa and Ohio State on April 1 and 15. He is also in sixth place in MSU's record books for career pitching wins with 18 and innings pitched with 219. On April 18, Day was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for his shutout victory over Ohio State. While he is making an excellent comeback from his injury, it is not as easy as it sounds.
"I think it is still taking work," said Day. "For a whole year, I was mentally out of the game, so I wasn't really thinking about playing. But this year, its go time, this is it; it's got to happen right now. So that has been really emotional for me, just getting back in the sport again."
To help him get back in baseball, Day set some ambitions this year for his team.
"My first thought is that this year I wanted to be a team captain and to leave a legacy," Tim added. "We haven't had the greatest tradition here in baseball in winning, but my other co-captains and I could start a tradition here dedicated to winning. I think we could be the turning point of our program. It is nice to be known individually, but I think tradition is greater than any personal records you could make."
Day hopes to contribute by setting up each game for a win.
"I just hope to pitch all my games well. My idea of doing well, is giving my team at least six strong innings, keeping our team in the game so that we have the chance to win."
Day describes his team as "a loose bunch" and "fun going." He believes that will help them in the long run so that they won't "bear down" on themselves and keep a positive attitude.
As for Day's attitude, he has shown through his continuing perseverance and commitment to the sport he loves, that he is ready for success in his MSU career and beyond.
