By Evan Byrd and Ethan Williams
On a warm afternoon in early May, Towson University’s baseball team is hosting the University of Richmond. The Tigers lead 18-10 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. Up steps redshirt freshman Taye Robinson.
Robinson has already gone 4 for 6, scoring two runs. Now he has a chance to help Towson do something it hasn’t done all season: mercy rule an opponent. Robinson hits a ball deep into right center field, and the runners from first and second cross the plate as Robinson slides into third base. He jumps up from the ground and points to his teammates in the dugout. After 7 innings, the Tigers lead by 10, which triggers the mercy rule.
Robinson was determined to get on base. After the game he told us that he was swinging for the fences but didn’t have enough “juice.” It’s about the only thing Robinson didn’t accomplish on this afternoon of explosive offense.
Robinson has made an immediate impact on the Towson baseball team. Part of the reason why: He has a strong support system and comes from a family of athletes who motivate him.
“I have always wanted to be the best and that starts with having confidence in yourself,” he said. “The one thing that makes me stand out is the belief that I not only have in myself but in other as well.”
An athletic family
Robinson has grown up around athletes. Most notably, his cousin, Chop Robinson, was recently drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. When Taye Robinson was in high school, he wasn’t sure baseball would end up being his primary sport. He also played football and basketball at Clarksburg High School.
Robinson was good at all sports, but he especially excelled at baseball. In the 10th grade, he became convinced he could play baseball in college. “I started to get looked at and knew that I could take my game to the next level,” he said.
He received offers to play football in college but decided to stick with baseball. He considered many colleges coming out of high school and ended up choosing the College of Charleston. Soon after he arrived, he wanted a change in scene, so he decided to enter the transfer portal. He got multiple offers from schools like George Mason and Maryland but decided on Towson.
“I kind of pulled the trigger early as soon as they offered me. I ended up committing because I wanted to be back home,” Robinson said. “When I started paying college baseball, I wanted to play D1, and Towson was the school that gave me the opportunity.”
Making an immediate impact
Robinson’s first season with the Tigers has been productive. In 170 at bats, he is batting .306. The third baseman has also been solid in the field.
Robinson spoke about how he prepares for games: “Whenever I have time to myself, I train as much as I can. Whether that is fielding or batting, I try to learn and grow as much as I can on the field…My main position is third base, but I play second right now. I can play anywhere,” Robinson said. “Anywhere that I’m in the lineup, that’s where I want to play.” He wants to be on the field to help make a difference and anytime he is on the field he feels he can help his team win.
“He has grown so much this year,” said Jordan Peyton, a redshirt infielder/pitcher. “It’s never easy coming in as a freshman. He is one of the hardest working teammates we have. I can see him becoming a leader of this team.”
Robinson recalls his first game playing for Towson and what he was feeling during the game.
“I felt so proud of myself for one because this was my dream to play Division 1 baseball,” he said. He was also feeling a bit nervous because it was such a big milestone in his life, and he wanted to take the opportunity he got and run with it. “It made me want to work even more hard reach one goal trying to get to the next.”
Life lessons from mom
Robinson learned about developing a strong work ethic from his mom. A single mother, she worked two jobs to support her family and made lots of sacrifices. Robinson said without the love and support of his mom, he might never have gotten into the position he is today.
Yet she still found the time to take him to all his sporting practices whether that was baseball, football or basketball, she did it out of love for her children and wanted them to be happy and give them a chance to live their dream playing the sports they loved. He felt she was always there for him whenever he needed her and could not have asked for a better supporter.
“I do it for my mom,” Robinson said. “She worked hard growing up. Seeing her work hard made me want to work hard at baseball.”
Hopes for the future
Robinson’s goal at Towson is to break every school record he can. He also wants to be a captain by his junior or senior year. He wants to be seen as a leader among his peers; that would be the ultimate sign that he is becoming the leader that he wants to be.
His goal is to go to the MLB and make his dream come true of becoming a professional athlete.
When asked what team he hoped to play for, Robinson responded, “Whoever drafts me.” He would love to play the role of the hometown kid if he were to get drafted by the Orioles or the Nationals but at the end of the day, he is happy going to any team because he just wants to live out his dream and will take the opportunity for anyone if that opportunity presents itself.