Early career

Timlin was drafted in the fifth round of the 1987 Major League Baseball draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, and signed with the team on June 6, 1987. From 1987 through 1990, Timlin played for several of Toronto's minor league teams; the Rookie-level Medicine Hat Blue Jays (1987), the Class-A Myrtle Beach Blue Jays (1988), the High-A Dunedin Blue Jays (1989–90), and the Double-A Knoxville Blue Jays (1990).

Toronto Blue Jays

Timlin spent the 1991 season with Toronto. He made his first major league appearance on opening day, April 8, pitching 1+1⁄3 innings in relief against the Boston Red Sox.^[2] Two days later, he recorded his first strikeout (Tom Brunansky) and had his first win, after pitching an inning in relief against the Red Sox.^[3] For the regular season, Timlin appeared in 63 games, all but three in relief, compiling a record of 11–6 with three saves and a 3.16 earned run average (ERA). In the postseason, he made four relief appearances in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Minnesota Twins, including taking the loss in Game 3 after giving up a home run to Mike Pagliarulo in the 10th inning.^[4][5] Timlin was sixth in Rookie of the Year voting.^[6]

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.^[7][8]

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.^[9]

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 393+1⁄3 innings pitched, he struck out 331 batters while walking 167.

Seattle Mariners

Timlin made his first appearance with the Mariners on August 1, 1997, pitching one inning in relief against the Milwaukee Brewers.^[10] He made 26 total appearances with Seattle during the regular season; he had a 3–2 record, with one save and a 3.86 ERA. He appeared in one game in the American League Division Series (ALDS), giving up four runs to the Baltimore Orioles in +2⁄3 of an inning during Game 1.^[11]

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.

Baltimore Orioles

On November 13, 1998, Timlin signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles.^[12] During the 1999 season, he appeared in 62 games for the Orioles, with a record of 3–9, 27 saves and a 3.57 ERA. For the 2000 season, he was with the Orioles through late July, appearing in 37 games, with a record of 2–3, 11 saves and a 4.89 ERA. On July 29, 2000, Timlin was traded (along with cash) to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Chris Richard and minor league player Mark Nussbeck.^[13] In two seasons with Baltimore, Timlin appeared in a total of 99 games, compiling a record of 5–12, with 38 saves and a 4.04 ERA, while striking out 76 and walking 38 in 98 innings pitched.

St. Louis Cardinals

Timlin made his first appearance with the Cardinals (and in the National League) on July 30, 2000, pitching one inning in relief against the New York Mets.^[14] He made 25 total appearances with the Cardinals during the regular season; he had a 3–1 record, with one save and a 3.34 ERA. He appeared in two games of the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Atlanta Braves, and in three games of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Mets. He took the loss in Game 2 of the NLCS, giving up an unearned run while pitching the ninth inning.^[15]

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.^[16] He made one appearance in the postseason, pitching 1+1⁄3 scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS.^[17]

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 start since his rookie season, taking the loss against the Milwaukee Brewers; he pitched 4+1⁄3 innings, giving up four runs (all earned) while striking out three batters and walking one.^[18] 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.^[19]

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 163+1⁄3 innings pitched, he struck out 108 batters while walking 46.

Philadelphia Phillies

Timlin made his first appearance with the Phillies on July 31, 2002, pitching two innings in relief (and getting the win) against the San Francisco Giants.^[20] Through the end of the regular season, he appeared in 30 games with Philadelphia, compiling a 3–3 record and a 3.79 ERA. In 35+2⁄3 innings pitched, he struck out 15 batters while walking seven. After the season, Timlin again became a free agent.

Boston Red Sox

On January 6, 2003, Timlin signed a one-year, $1.85 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.^[21] During the 2003 season, he appeared in 72 games for Boston, compiling a 6–4 record, with 2 saves and a 3.55 ERA. In the postseason, he appeared in three games of the ALDS against the Oakland Athletics, and five games of the ALCS against the New York Yankees. In those eight games, he pitched 9+1⁄3 innings, facing 32 batters while striking out 11 and only giving up two walks, one hit, and no runs. After the season, Timlin was re-signed by the Red Sox to a two-year, $5.25 million contract in November 2003.^[21]

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 11+2⁄3 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 80+1⁄3 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.^[22] On November 2, 2005, Timlin signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract extension with the Red Sox.^[23]

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.^[24]

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.^[25] 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 5+2⁄3 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.^[26]

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,^[27] and his two innings in relief during Game 4, which Boston lost by nine runs, would be the final MLB appearance of his career.^[28] 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.

Late career

On July 29, 2009, Timlin signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.^[29] He made a total of six minor league appearances; two for the Rookie-level Casper Ghosts and then four for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. On August 13, 2009, Timlin was released by the Rockies, following which he retired from baseball.^[29]

Career totals

In 18 MLB seasons, Timlin compiled a record of 75–73, with 141 saves, and a 3.63 ERA. In 1,204+1⁄3 innings pitched, he struck out 872 batters while walking 377. As a hitter, he had seven at-bats (all with St. Louis); he struck out four times and did not reach base. As of July 2017, Timlin ranks eighth all-time in appearances for MLB pitchers, having played in 1,058 games.^[30]

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.^[31]

Timlin was also a member of the United States national baseball team that competed in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.