Tyler Radcliffe has become arguably the Moore League’s premier pitcher, and the Wilson senior has reached that elite status the same way he’s come to excel in the classroom and as a person – quietly and with hard work and humility.
Radcliffe, 17, maintains a 3.5 grade-point average, is one of the most popular local athletes and is the ace of the Long Beach area’s winningest baseball program this season.
The Bruins (18-4 overall, 7-0 in league play) have twice as many victories as any other Moore League team.
But as well as he’s performing for Wilson’s 14-year coach Andy Hall, much of the credit for his maturation on and off the field has to go to his mother, Kim Shackley.
Radcliffe’s biological father, for all intents and purposes, hasn’t been a consistent fixture in his life since 2002.
His mother filled both parental roles to give Radcliffe what he calls a “very happy life” – equal parts love, support, encouragement and guidance.
Baseball-wise, Radcliffe has been dominant – a 6-1 record and 1.04 ERA, only four earned runs allowed in his past six starts, a mere 26 hits yielded in 47 1/3 innings and an opponents’ batting average of .149.
Radcliffe struck out 15 on Thursday against Jordan in a complete-game, eight-inning decision.
Earlier against the same team, he pitched nine innings of shutout relief in a 15-inning marathon.
Radcliffe’s success is cemented in his consistency and ability to have command of three pitches (fastball, curve and circle change). The 6-foot-1 right-hander’s penchant for staying calm under pressure has been a huge part of his success.
“Tyler is a remarkable young man, and his mom deserves a lot of praise for the way he’s turned out,” Hall said. “He’s a model citizen, and on the field he gives us a great chance to win every time he’s on the mound. I wish more kids would emulate him because he’s a great kid and student.”
Radcliffe doesn’t hesitate when asked if he felt something was missing from his childhood.
“Honestly, my mom has given me everything I’ve needed and more,” he said. “She’s provided the love and moral guidance. I don’t think I’ve missed anything in my life. She’s as great a mom as I could have hoped for.”
Shackley worked for a Fortune 500 company for more than a decade until the sour economy made her one of the many victims of corporate layoffs. She’s presently working for an escrow company.
“I can’t always give Tyler everything a kid might want, but one of the great things about my son is that he only asks me for things he needs and not what he wants,” Shackley, 46, said.
“I’ve given up my social life to be the mom he deserves, and any time I hear from someone that he’s grown into a respectful young man, it’s made everything I’ve done feel worthwhile. But he deserves most of the praise for becoming a quality person.”
Radcliffe said his grandmother, Colleen Shackley, has been the glue and has kept his family looking up when times were hard.
His mom has been known to throw to her son during batting practice, hit ground balls and anything else a father figure typically does during a son’s youth.
Radcliffe hopes to play at the collegiate level locally next season so his mom can see him play and to stay in his comfort zone.
“Whichever college gets Tyler is going to be very lucky to get a kid with his character and ability,” Hall said.
The Bruins are flush on the mound – A.J. Dean (2-2, 1.36) and Josh Goldberg (5-1, 0.76, 39 strikeouts) have been as important as Radcliffe in the Bruins breaking out in the CIF and Maxpreps rankings. But rivals say Radcliffe is as formidable an opponent as any.
“Tyler’s command of three pitches and consistency has made him the best pitcher in our league,” Millikan coach Scott Glasser said. “He throws strikes, hits his spots and never seems intimidated out on the mound.”
Radcliffe doesn’t concern himself with stats or scouting reports. His goals are simply to be a good teammate and support his mom as she’s supported him.
“I hope my future,” he said, “is something that allows me to give my mom everything she wants and deserves.”
