While attending Stanford University and playing for the Cardinals, Michael Taylor was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. After a series of trades and intermittent play for the major and minor leagues, Taylor is playing outfielder for the Chicago White Sox. He was added to the roster in September, sliding in near the end of the season.

 

“I played a little, mainly against lefties and I felt like I did just fine - mainly just doing my job as best I can,” he said.

 

Taylor looks forward to continuing his professional baseball career, a dream which has been in progress since he was a little boy, growing up in Apopka, Fla.

 

“I started playing baseball when I was 5 or 6 years old. I literally started playing because I wanted to go play with my neighborhood friends,” he said. “I played baseball through high school, along with basketball and track. I knew I was going to play college baseball by the time I was a junior, so I began to focus on that sport.”

 

He said Vladimer Guerrero – right fielder for the Angels, Rangers and Orioles - and Dave Stewart – who pitched for the Phillies, Rangers and Blue Jays, among other teams -  played somewhat of a role in his decision to make baseball a big part of his life. But so did his dad, David F. Taylor, Bridgeport High School Class of 1978 and former Indian football player.

 

“My dad played an enormous role in my development, both on and off the field,” Taylor said. “He wanted (my siblings and me) to be healthy so in an age of video games and computer games, we had to go outside and play. As I got older, he worked with me on improving my athletic ability and my skill sets for the various games I choose to play.”

 

The only sport his dad restricted him from playing was football, Taylor said.

 

“He just didn’t want me getting involved with that game and as I’m about to turn 29, my body thanks him for his foresight every day,” he said.

 

And though athletics were a big part of Taylor’s early life, so were academics.

 

“Honestly, my school work was always more important so we focused on that and that’s why I decided to go to Stanford, rather than sign out of high school - and that was probably the best decision of my life,” he said. “I played baseball there and decided to begin my pro ball career after my junior year when I was drafted.”

 

Taylor spent three years with the Phillies and in December of 2009, was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, then to Oakland.

 

“I was there until I was traded this June with the Oakland Organization. I made my major league debut in 2011, and have spent parts of the last four seasons going between AAA and the big leagues,” Taylor said. “I was added to the major league roster with the White Sox in September when the rosters expanded.”

 

Right now, Taylor is back at Stanford, finishing his bachelor’s degree in political science.

 

“School after eight years can be tricky, but I wanted to go back and finish my degree before I started moving forward in other areas of my life.”

 

Because of everything happening in his life, Taylor and his wife Addie are “extremely nomadic,” he said.

 

“We’ve lived in San Francisco, Phoenix and San Diego thus far,” he said. “We won’t have a permanent home until things become a bit more stable.”

 

By the time February rolls around, Taylor will have his degree and will start spring training with the White Sox. In the meantime, he’s training on his own and keeping in good physical condition.

 

Though Taylor still has some family in Bridgeport, he hasn’t visited recently. He does know a little about his dad’s hometown and state.

 

“I do know it’s full of hills and there’s a passion for football and good food,” he said.  “Every year, I seem to cross paths with more family from the area, so I may have to make my way up there someday and get the full tour.”

 

His parents David and Sheryl remain in Apopka, Fla. 

 

To read more detail about Taylor's career/stats, visit his Wikipedia entry HERE.