Projo Sox Blog

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

TORONTO _ Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin made his 1,050 career appearance Saturday to tie Kent Tekulve for 7th all-time. Timlin entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning with Toronto leading 11-0. The veteran right-hander is second in club history with 386 relief outings.

"It means I've been around awhile," he said.

He's only the 13th pitcher in major-league history to reach 1,000 appearances.

"There's no trick (to longevity)," he said. "It's a blessing from God is what it is. There's no trick about that. You work hard and do your best."

The 18-year vet made his major-league debut with the Blue Jays in 1991 and recorded his first appearance at the Sky Dome, which is now the Rogers Centre. Tying the mark yesterday was a little more special for that reason.

"It's kind of cool it was here in Toronto where I started and had No. 1," said Timlin.

Young right-handed reliever Manny Delcarmen can't even begin to fathom what it would be like to pitch as long as Timlin has.

"First of all he's old," joked Delcarmen. "He's had a long career, a great career and hopefully he keeps going. For me, when I first came up he took me under his wing and has given me a lot of advice. He's been pretty good to me."

 Tags  Manny Delcarmen Mike Timlin Red Sox

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