Tim Shannon's elbow couldn't take it anymore. Nor could his mind. The Gophers senior had been the quintessential starting pitching recruit, standing 6-7, with a big overhand delivery.
He was an all-state selection for Hopkins and began his college career at Michigan. Then his ulnar collateral ligament gave out in his right arm, requiring Tommy John surgery. The aspiring law student transferred to Minnesota but continued having elbow pain and posted ERAs of 5.85 in 2015 and 9.00 in 2016.
Finally, after last season, coach John Anderson asked: How about remaking yourself as a submarine-style reliever?
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result," Shannon said.
"I knew what I was doing wasn't working, so I had to make a change."
The result has turned Shannon into a much different pitcher: slouching, funky-looking, junk-ball throwing — but effective and durable. His consistency helped position Minnesota atop the Big Ten standings heading into the final regular-season series against Purdue.
Shannon has a 3.00 ERA in 27 games, needing one more appearance to tie Jason Karrmann's team record from 1994.
"To be honest, it's kind of frustrating," Shannon said. "I've had more success throwing the ball 80 miles per hour than I ever did at 90."