Tim McEvoy Defines Perserverance

Tim McEvoy, 21, refuses to let his birth defect put a damper on the athletic talent he was blessed with.

McEvoy was born with a clubfoot and received surgery when he was 6 months old at Children’s Hospital in Detroit. The doctors warned his parents, Mary Ellen and Chris McEvoy, that their son would walk with a limp and would never be able to play sports.

“We were shocked and concerned Tim wouldn’t walk correctly,” Chris McEvoy said. “We didn’t want him to have a lifelong struggle with his mobility.”

However, through perseverance, McEvoy proved the doctors wrong when he took his first step onto a baseball field.

At age 1, he played baseball for the first time with his father at Rosedale Park, in their Detroit neighborhood. By the time he was 4 years old, he was on an organized baseball team and he has been playing ever since.

McEvoy attended University of Detroit Jesuit Academy and High school before transferring to Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak, MI. The athletic program welcomed McEvoy his sophomore year and he quickly discovered changing schools gave him the opportunity he had been looking for.

McEvoy immediately became the varsity team’s starting catcher his sophomore year and that season was especially memorable to him.

“I’ll never forget when we beat Cabrini High School to advance us in the State Championship game at Comerica Park,” McEvoy said. “I wanted that championship ring.”

Unfortunately they lost the big game, but McEvoy was honored to have caught all season for senior pitcher, Dan Kapala. Kapala went on to play four years at the University of Notre Dame before being drafted into the New York Yankees organization.

“It was a huge opportunity for me to catch for Kapala,” McEvoy said. “I’m glad I got that experience.”

After proving to be a positive role model to his teammates, he earned his title as team captain and was also awarded MVP.

CMU senior Kyle O’Rourke spoke highly about McEvoy’s energy and skills on the field when he played along side him at SCHS.

“Tim always came through with the big play when we needed it, whether it was a big hit or throwing out a base runner,” O’Rourke said. “His confidence carried the team at times when things weren’t going so good.”

Other awards he has received include All-State, All-Catholic, All-Oakland County, All-Metro, All-District, and All-Regional.

Despite the success of McEvoy’s surgery, his clubfoot continues to be an issue. He ices his left foot before and after every game to decrease the painful inflammation.

“My foot is most vulnerable when I round bases because of the intense pressure,” McEvoy said. “I can’t run as fast as everyone else, but I try.”

The constant squatting position that catchers must do is that much harder for McEvoy to endure. He does specific stretches that target the sensitive muscles, ligaments and bones in his noticeably smaller foot.

“I know Tim’s in pain when there’s an empty Advil bottle in the garbage,” Chris McEvoy said. “We’ll joke about it and he’s got a good sense of humor.”

Along with baseball, McEvoy also played on two other varsity teams, basketball and football. For an individual that was never expected to play sports, McEvoy’s talent and determination has shown anyone that was doubtful otherwise.

“I just push myself to be the best player I can be,” McEvoy said.

Scouts from all over Michigan had their eyes on the 6-foot, 195-pound catcher. McEvoy contemplated what college would be most suitable for him before making a decision.

McEvoy accepted an 80 percent scholarship to Concordia University in Ann Arbor, where he currently plays with 40 of his teammates. He remains pleased with his college selection and again, is the starting catcher.

This current preseason, McEvoy’s batting average is .340 along with 15 RBIs and one home run.

"This is my last year to play college baseball,” McEvoy said. “My current goal is to win player of the year and end my final season with Concordia as national champions.”

McEvoy’s clubfoot is a constant reminder that he will always have obstacles to overcome. He is pursuing degrees in special education and athletic coaching so he can help others achieve their best potential as well.

“I might have a slight limp, but it won’t stop me from playing in the MLB,” McEvoy said. “Nothing stops the Irish from getting what they want.”