The majority of major-association players take pleasure in having a hobby to provide their minds with a break from the field.
A little golf, please. Others fish and chase. Moreover, computer games are popular at many hotels after evening games outside.
For a major leaguer, Michael A. Taylor’s side interest is rather amazing. The focal defender for the Pittsburgh Privateers enjoys woodworking and keeps a studio in an extra-wide carport at his Boca Raton, Florida, off-season residence.
Taylor has always had an advantage when it comes to woodwork and carpentry.
“I had a pal that was a craftsman, and he stopped by my home and assisted me with a venture,” Taylor recalled. “Since I was not involved in it, I just kind of held on and observed him. But after that day, I had an uncontrollable fascination with the cycle, and he gave me advice on a few gadgets to buy and sort of led me in the right direction, so I took off from there.”
After that, Taylor eventually converted his carport into a studio.
After learning a little more about carpentry, Taylor responded, “The capacity to be inventive,” “I like simply the most common way of transforming the natural substance into something lovely and can endure forever.”
Taylor now has the knowledge and confidence to take on more challenging tasks. Not long after Naomi Mae’s conception, he built a dresser for her and then added a bassinet/rocker for her room. According to Taylor, the dresser took about 30 hours to complete.
“I don’t work with a typical schedule,” Taylor declared. It takes a few hours here and a few hours there, therefore I have to invest in order to complete some of my projects. It requires thought and attention to detail, yet there’s something peaceful about working at your own pace in the shop. I am very grateful for that.
Though it wasn’t what was expected, Taylor used his time off to devote more time to his shop. Taylor made it through a slow free agent market and signed with the Privateers on Walk 16, agreeing to a $4 million, one-year contract less than fourteen days before the season began.
After hitting 21 grand homers and stealing 13 bases with the Minnesota Twins in the previous season, Taylor seemed to be in a respectable position when he emerged from the shadows. In 139 games, he produced a cut line of.220/.278/.442. Taylor’s 2021 American Association Gold Glove victory while playing with the Kansas City Royals further cemented his reputation as one of the free organization’s most cautious players.
Taylor described his offseason as “troublesome” at times. “It was obviously a unique situation that I hadn’t experienced, but I made a strong effort to focus on the good things in life, like getting more time at home with my family, which is a gift. I have a little daughter, and many people don’t understand that extra time. Even though I was grateful for it, I still missed being on the pitch. Just sort of finding that balance and staying optimistic.”
Taylor seems to have been impacted by not having spring preparation. With 39 games played, he is batting.216/.264/.279 with three takes and one home run. But in the field, the 33-year-old has excelled, saving eight carefully defended runs.
Despite this, Taylor remains optimistic that things will get better. Despite his hitting struggles, the 11-year veteran is having one of his most memorable seasons in Pittsburgh.
“There are a tonne of incredible folks here and everyone buckles down,” Taylor stated. “I think our cycle and approach are well thought out, and people continuously want to come in and get better. I don’t think of myself as a finished product. Actually, I’m hoping to proceed. I understand that I’m capable of performing better.”