(DailyChive.com) – Former MLB pitcher and Toronto Blue Jays team physician Dr. Ron Taylor, who transformed from World Series hero to pioneering sports medicine doctor, has died at 87 after achieving what no other professional baseball player had done before.
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Ron Taylor passed away on June 16, 2025, at age 87 after a distinguished career as both a Major League Baseball pitcher and physician
- Taylor was a key reliever for the 1969 “Miracle Mets” World Series championship team and also won a title with the 1964 Cardinals
- After retiring from baseball, Taylor became the first MLB player to earn a medical degree, graduating from the University of Toronto at age 39
- He served as the Toronto Blue Jays team physician for 34 years (1979-2013), witnessing their back-to-back World Series championships in 1992-1993
- Taylor was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985, cementing his legacy as one of Canada’s most accomplished baseball figures
From World Series Hero to Medical Pioneer
Ron Taylor, a crucial member of the legendary 1969 “Miracle Mets” championship team and later a respected physician, died on June 16, 2025, at age 87 following a lengthy illness. The Canadian-born relief pitcher carved out an 11-year Major League career before making an unprecedented transition to medicine, becoming the first former MLB player to earn a medical degree. His remarkable journey from the pitcher’s mound to the medical field represents one of baseball’s most unique second acts.
Taylor’s baseball career was defined by clutch performances in the biggest moments. During the Mets’ improbable 1969 championship run, he recorded a crucial save in Game 2 of the World Series by retiring Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson with two runners on base. His postseason dominance was remarkable – Taylor pitched 5.2 scoreless innings during the 1969 playoffs and finished his World Series career with seven hitless innings across two appearances.
Two-Time World Series Champion
Before joining the Mets, Taylor had already tasted championship success with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964, throwing four hitless innings in relief during Game 4 of their World Series victory over the New York Yankees. This achievement made him the only Canadian to win World Series titles with two different teams – a distinction that underscores his value as a reliable bullpen arm when the stakes were highest.
During his five seasons with the Mets (1967-1971), Taylor posted an impressive 3.04 ERA over 269 games and led the team with 13 saves during their championship 1969 campaign. His overall MLB career statistics include a 45-43 record with 71 saves and a 3.93 ERA across 11 seasons. Perhaps most remarkably, Taylor never allowed a single run in 10.1 career postseason innings – a testament to his composure under pressure.
From Pitcher to Physician
Taylor’s most extraordinary achievement came after his playing days ended. Following his retirement from baseball in 1972, he pursued a lifelong interest in medicine by enrolling at the University of Toronto. At age 39, when most former athletes are settling into broadcasting booths or coaching roles, Taylor earned his medical degree in 1977. This unprecedented career pivot required tremendous discipline and intellectual capacity, proving that Taylor’s talents extended far beyond the baseball diamond.
“If you can still get these kinds of marks, you’re in,” Taylor once recalled about his medical school acceptance, highlighting the academic rigor required for his second career. His dedication to medicine led to a 34-year tenure as the Toronto Blue Jays team physician from 1979 to 2013, during which he witnessed the franchise’s back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.
A Lasting Legacy
Taylor’s dual legacy as both an elite athlete and physician earned him induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985. His former Mets teammate Art Shamsky remembered him as bringing “a winning mentality” to the 1969 squad that shocked the baseball world by defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. Taylor’s contributions to that championship team remain an integral part of Mets franchise lore.
What makes Taylor’s story particularly compelling is how he defied the stereotypical athlete narrative. While many professional sports figures struggle to find purpose after their playing careers end, Taylor reinvented himself completely, channeling the same determination that made him a World Series hero into becoming a pioneering sports medicine physician. His journey represents the rare combination of physical talent and intellectual achievement that transcends sports.
As both the baseball and medical communities mourn Taylor’s passing, his life serves as a powerful reminder that athletic careers, while often brief, can be springboards to even greater accomplishments. In an era when professional athletes frequently face challenges transitioning to post-playing life, Taylor’s remarkable second act stands as an inspiration and a testament to the possibilities that exist beyond sports.
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