By Jeff Holt
Published September 29, 2022
Through the years, I've been really fortunate to cover some really good athletes on the college level. My harshest critics have said it is "just D3", but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Being from Galesburg, I especially lit up when a former Silver Streak would end up at Monmouth College.
Taylor Thiel did just that.
Taylor got recruited to play baseball at Iowa State University and he's what we often call a "tweener," one who could have played at a higher level.
Back in 2002, Taylor hit a school-record 11 home runs in one season at Monmouth College and that record still stands today. His 18 career home runs rank him No. 2 all time for the Fighting Scots. As a team, the Scots won 26 games in one season (a former record) and finished one victory shy of reaching the College World Series.
Behind the plate, Thiel caught Hall of Fame pitchers Ryan Johnson and Joe Larkins. The hard-throwing Larkins also starred at Galesburg with Thiel. The MC lineup was often filled with former Silver Streaks like Thiel, Larkins, Steve Glasgow, Shane Flaar and Toby Lannholm.
Individually, Thiel earned Midwest Conference Player of the Year honors and the Fighting Scots won at least 20 games in each of his three seasons.
On Saturday, Thiel will be inducted into the Monmouth College M Club Hall of Fame.
He deserves it!
Those were some great games to cover as a sports writer and to watch for the die-hard sports fans.