From the beginning Tim Curley demonstrated he processed a vast array of skills that would eventually be performed on higher levels. Still, prior to making the dreams materialize Curley honed his skills on numerous baseball diamonds through out the state of Maine and beyond.
Curley actually began making a name for himself, while becoming a star for the Sanford High School baseball team. He excelled as a pitcher, center-fielder and hitter for the Redskins. This included a three-year batting of well over .300 and was named All-Telegram League Player in 1985. Curley also displayed a fleet of foot by successfully stealing 14 of 14 bases in ’85.
“One of the greatest clutch hitters to ever don a Sanford baseball uniform,”former Sanford coach John Cochin said, who nominated Curley. “Tim hit many line drives in spacious Goodall Park that would have been home runs in any other Park.”
They say apples don’t fall far from the tree and Curley (born in Sanford on August 24, 1967) is certainly living proof of it. He is the proprietor of Curley Associates Insurance in the Sanford-Springvale area. He continues giving back by working with and coaching Sanford Area Youths.
Following a freshman year at Saint Joseph’s College, Curley transferred to the University of Southern Maine and played from 1987-89 under the tutelage of Ed Flaherty. He was selected 1st Team All-New England in 1987 and ’88. “Tim was what is described today as a five tool player,”Flaherty said, who is a MBHOF member. “He could hit for average, with maybe the smoothest swings ever seen here at USM. As he got stronger he hit for power, as evidenced by his spike in home runs. He was an outstanding runner and had a cannon for an arm.”
In, ’88, Curley played in the prestigious Cape Cod League for the Brewster Whitecaps. He was among the league leaders in runs scored, SB and batting avg. in ’89, USM finished fourth in the College World Series and Curley signed a Professional Contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his first full year, he was named MVP for Class A Princeton. He batted .265, team highs in SB (15), runs scored, doubles and triples.
That fall, he was invited to the Pirates Instructional League and worked with Hal McRay. He played for Class A Augusta (Georgia) for two seasons, before being released in ’91.
Curley also excelled in the Portland Twilight League and was selected 1st Team both offensively and defensively. He was the TWI Rookie of the Year in ’86 and MVP in ’94.
He was inducted in to the USM Hall of Fame on Sept. 15, 2000.
