Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Where Are They Now – Ron Taylor




Ron Taylor was a relief pitcher for the New York Mets for five seasons, from 1967 – 1971. He was an integral part of the 1969 World Championship team. In the post season in 1969, Taylor pitched in four games throwing five innings, giving up three hits, no runs, one walk, and striking out 7. He was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA.

Taylor’s career started in 1962 with the Cleveland Indians, and finished in 1972 with San Diego.

Taylor, a native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, had a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering when he decided to go to medical school at the conclusion of his professional baseball career.

He entered the University of Toronto Medical School to the ridicule of his fellow students, who he happened to be about 12 years their senior. Taylor, 71 this December, was an A student while earning his electrical engineering degree, and had to prove himself all over again in Med school. In 1977, he did just that, by graduating from Medical school.

Taylor got the idea of medicine during a USO trip to Vietnam along with teammate Tug McGraw in 1969. He visited many hospitals, which stoked his interest to study medicine.

Taylor became team physician of the Toronto Blue Jays 1979, and has held that post ever since. He is also the director of a clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto on athletic injuries and he maintains a family practice, too.

Next season the Mets will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of their first World Championship. Taylor, when recalling that magical season of 1969, said, “I really loved it there. I really enjoyed the fans. When we won the Series, the tickertape parade was overwhelming. To be out there in an open car, all that confetti coming down, the roar, was amazing.”

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