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{{short description|American baseball player (born 1966)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Randy Tomlin
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|throws=Left
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1966|6|14|}}
|birth_place=[[Bainbridge, Maryland]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=August 6
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*[[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ({{by|1990}}–{{by|1994}})
}}
'''Randy Leon Tomlin''' (born June 14, 1966 in [[Bainbridge, Maryland]]) is a former [[left-handed]] [[starting pitcher]] for the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] (1990-94). He stands 5'11" and weighs 170 pounds.<ref name="reference"/> In five seasons, he had a 3.43 [[earned run average]] (ERA).
 
Tomlin grew up around [[Lynchburg, Virginia]], and attended [[Liberty University]]. Selected by the Pirates in the 18th round of the [[1988 Major League Baseball Draft|1988 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft]], he reached the major leagues in 1990. In 1991, he finished eighth in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) in ERA (2.98) and held the [[Atlanta Braves]] to two runs over six innings in Game 4 of the [[1991 National League Championship Series|NL Championship Series]], earning a [[no decision]] in a 3–2 victory. The next year, he was tied for the NL lead in wins through June 22 and finished the year with the 10th-best winning percentage in the NL. Injuries limited him to 18 starts in 1993, and he had elbow surgery after the season,. pitchingHe only oneappeared morein season10 games for Pittsburgh in the1994 majorand did not pitch at all in leagues1995. After two seasons in minor/independent league baseball, he became the pitching coach for Liberty University. After serving in that capacity through 2006, he served as a minor league pitching coach for the [[Washington Nationals]] for a few seasons.
 
==Early life==
Though born in [[Bainbridge, Maryland]], Tomlin lived there less than a year before moving to Virginia, first to [[Farmville, Virginia|Farmville]], then to the [[Lynchburg, Virginia|Lynchburg]] area when he was four or five. He attended [[Amherst County High School]], where he played [[baseball]] and [[American football|football]]. Tomlin hoped to attend [[James Madison University]], but their [[Scout (sports)|scouts]] were not impressed with him. [[Liberty University]] offered him a full scholarship, so he chose to attend there instead.<ref name="Interview">{{cite webjournal|title=Interview: 2011-02-09|url=https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/ohp_tomlin_r/1/|workjournal=Liberty University|date=February 11, 2009|accessdateaccess-date=December 31, 2020|last1=Sattler |first1=Abigail |last2=Cobb |first2=Mike |last3=Hall |first3=Cline |last4=Tomlin |first4=Randy }}</ref>
 
==College career==
Tomlin had played as a [[pitcher]] and [[outfielder]] in high school, but he focused on pitching upon joining the Liberty Flames in 1986.<ref name="Interview"/> During his time with the Flames, he threw 22 [[complete game]]s and four [[Shutouts in baseball|shutouts]], both records as of 2016. Three of those shutouts came in 1986, a year in which he also pitched all 11 innings of a 4–3 victory over [[Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania|Slippery Rock University]]. He pitched 273 [[Innings pitched|innings]] for the Flames, [[strikeout|striking out]] 211 hitters. After his junior year, he was drafted by the Pirates in the 18th round (460th overall) of the [[1988 Major League Baseball Draft|1988 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft]]. In 2016, he was inducted into the Liberty Sports Hall of Fame.<ref name="WDBJ7">{{cite web|url=https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Five-athletes-to-be-inducted-into-Liberty-Universitys-sports-Hall-of-Fame-387847482.html|title=Five athletes to be inducted into Liberty University's sports Hall of Fame|work=WDBJ7|date=July 21, 2016|accessdateaccess-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref>
 
==Minor leagues==
After being drafted, Tomlin began his professional career in 1988 with the [[Watertown Pirates]] of the [[Single-A (baseball)|Single-A]] (short season) [[New York-Penn League]]. In 15 [[Games started|starts]], he had a 7–5 [[Win-lossWin–loss record (pitching)|record]], a 2.18 [[earned run average]] (ERA), 87 strikeouts, 25 [[Walk (baseball)|walks]], and 75 [[hits allowed]] in {{frac|103|1|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="minors">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tomlin001ran|title=Randy Tomlin Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>
 
Tomlin spent most of 1989 with the [[Salem Buccaneers]] of the Single-A [[Carolina League]], where he had a 12–6 record, a 3.25 ERA, 99 strikeouts, 43 walks, and 131 hits allowed in {{frac|138|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="minors"/> The 12 wins were tied with two others for fourth in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?type=pitch&id=3891fd78|title=1989 Carolina League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> Tomlin also made five starts for the [[Harrisburg Senators]] of the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Eastern League (baseball1938–2020)|Eastern League]] that year; though his record was just 2–2, his ERA was 0.84.<ref name="minors"/>
 
For 1990, Tomlin spent much of the year with Harrisburg. In 19 games (18 starts), he had a 9–6 record, a 2.28 ERA, 92 strikeouts, 34 walks, and 101 hits allowed in {{frac|126|1|3}} innings pitched. He also appeared in three games (one start) with the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Buffalo Bisons]] of the [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]].<ref name="minors"/>
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==Pittsburgh Pirates (1990-94)==
===1990===
In August of 1990, Tomlin was recalled to replace [[Rick Reed (pitcher)|Rick Reed]] in Pittsburgh's [[starting rotation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=reedri01&t=p&year=1990|title=Rick Reed 1990 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 4, 2021}}</ref><ref name="1990 Tomlin">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tomlira01&t=p&year=1990|title=Randy Tomlin 1990 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 4, 2021}}</ref> He made his major league debut in the first game of a [[Doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]] on August 6, allowing just five hits and one run in a [[complete game]], 10–1 victory over the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI199008061.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates at Philadelphia Phillies Box Score, August 6, 1990|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 4, 2021}}</ref> On September 6, he held the [[New York Mets]] to three hits in a complete game, 7–1 victory.<ref>{{cite webmagazine|last=Kurkjian|first=Tim|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1990/09/17/baseball|title=Baseball|workmagazine=Sports Illustrated|date=September 17, 1990|accessdateaccess-date=December 28, 2020}}</ref> In 12 starts with Pittsburgh, he had a 4–4 record, a 2.55 ERA, 42 strikeouts, 12 walks, and 62 hits allowed in {{frac|77|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="reference">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tomlira01.shtml|title=Randy Tomlin Stats|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> The Pirates won the [[National League East|National League (NL) East]] Division and faced the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in the [[1990 National League Championship Series|NL Championship Series]] (NLCS), but Tomlin made no appearances in the series as Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh four games to two.<ref name="reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1990.shtml|title=1990 Pittsburgh Pirates Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref>
 
===1991===
1991 was Tomlin's first full season as a starter in the major leagues.<ref name="reference"/> On July 15 and 21, he pitched back-to-back shutouts against the [[Houston Astros]] and the Reds.<ref name="1991 Tomlin">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tomlira01&t=p&year=1991|title=Randy Tomlin 1991 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> For his performance, he was named the NL [[Major League Baseball Player of the Week Award|Player of the Week]] for the week of July 15-21.<ref name="reference"/> On August 6, he limited the Mets to four hits and one run in a complete game, 3–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN199108060.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets Box Score, August 6, 1991|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> At that point, he had an 8–4 record with a 2.35 ERA, but he was winless for the rest of the season, posting a 4.31 ERA.<ref name="1991 Tomlin"/> In the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets on September 26, he had a shutout going until the ninth, in which he gave up two runs, allowing New York to tie the game. However, Pittsburgh still won in 15 innings, 4–3.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN199109261.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets Box Score, September 26, 1991|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> In 31 games (27 starts), he had an 8–7 record, 104 strikeouts, 54 walks, and 170 hits allowed in 175 innings.<ref name="reference"/> His 2.98 ERA ranked eighth in the league, and the Pirates won the NL East for the second year in a row.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1991-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1991 NL Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1991.shtml|title=1991 Pittsburgh Pirates Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> Jay LeBlanc of ''[[The Washington Times]]'' wrote that Tomlin is "best remembered for his clutch performance in Game 4 of the [[1991 National League Championship Series|1991 NLCS]]."<ref name="Catching Up"/> With the Pirates down two games to one in the series, Tomlin held the [[Atlanta Braves]] to two runs over six innings in Game 4. He got a [[no decision]], but Pittsburgh won the game 3–2 in 10 innings before ultimately losing the series in seven games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL199110130.shtml|title=1991 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 4, Pirates at Braves, October 13|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=December 30, 2020}}</ref>
 
===1992===
Tomlin won his first four starts of the 1992 season; ''Sports Illustrated'' wrote in May that he and the other startersPittsburgh starting pitchers "are racking up W's like unlucky Scrabble competitors."<ref>{{cite webmagazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2010/05/24/the-vault|title=Bonds Away! The VaultRetooled Pirates Again Overpowered the NL East|workmagazine=Sports Illustrated|date=May 24, 2010|accessdateaccess-date=December 28, 2020}}</ref> After losing three decisions in a row, he then won his next six decisions, including five starts in a row from June 2 through June 22.<ref name="1992 Tomlin">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tomlira01&t=p&year=1992|title=Randy Tomlin 1992 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> During the streak, he threw 26 consecutive scoreless innings, which included a complete -game shutout of the Mets on June 7.<ref name="Met killer"/> He was named the NL [[Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award|Player of the Month]] for June.<ref name="reference"/> Through the 22nd of the month, he was tied with four others for most wins in the major leagues.<ref>{{cite web|page=8|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=932&dat=19920623&id=3lJQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t1YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6009,8534372|title=Pirates 5, Cardinals 2|work=The Kingman Daily Miner|date=June 23, 1992|accessdateaccess-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> His ERA was 3.03 at that point, and it would be 3.69 for the rest of the year, but Tomlin would win just four more games.<ref name="1992 Tomlin"/> He pitched back-to-back one-run, eight-inning games against the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] on August 2 and 7, earning the win in the second of those (the Pirates won both).<ref name="1992 Tomlin"/> In 33 starts, he had a 14–9 record, a 3.41 ERA, 90 strikeouts, and 42 walks in {{frac|208|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/> Tomlin finished 10th in the NL with a .609 winning percentage and fifth in the NL in [[Bases on balls per nine innings pitched|walks per nine innings pitched]], though he was also third with 226 hits allowed (behind [[Andy Benes]]'s 230 and [[Terry Mulholland]]'s 227).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1992-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1992 NL Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> NL East Champions again, the Pirates faced the Braves in the [[1992 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] for the second year in a row.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1992.shtml|title=1992 Pittsburgh Pirates Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> In Game 2, he pitched {{frac|1|1|3}} scoreless innings of relief, though the Pirates were already losing 8–0 and would lose 13–5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL199210070.shtml|title=1992 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 2, Pirates at Braves, October 7|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> He relieved [[Doug Drabek]] in Game 4 with the game tied at three, runners on first and third, and one out in the fifth inning. After an error allowed a run to score, Tomlin induced [[Ron Gant]] to hit into an inning-ending double play, but Tomlin would allow two runs in the next inning as Pittsburgh went on to lose 6–4.<ref name="Game 4">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT199210100.shtml|title=1992 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 4, Braves at Pirates, October 10|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> The Pirates lost the series in seven games.<ref name="GaneGame 4"/>
 
===1993===
In 1993, Tomlin won only two of his first four five decisions, posting a 4.44 ERA through the end of May.<ref name="1993 Tomlin">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tomlira01&t=p&year=1993|title=Randy Tomlin 1993 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> He did not pitch in June, as he was on the [[disabled list]] with an elbow injury.<ref name="Interview"/><ref name="1993 Tomlin"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/10/sports/transactions-907993.html|title=Transaction|work=The New York Times|date=July 10, 1993|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> On July 21, he held the Astros to four hits and one run in a complete game, 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT199307200.shtml|title=Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score, July 20, 1993|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> However, he would win just one more game all season.<ref name="1993 Tomlin"/> On August 27, he went back on the disabled list, not pitching for Pittsburgh again all season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/28/sports/transactions-520293.html|title=Transactions|work=The New York Times|date=August 28, 1993|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> In 18 starts, he had a 4–8 record, a 4.85 ERA, 44 strikeouts, 15 walks, and 109 hits allowed in {{frac|98|1|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/>
 
===1994===
After the 1993 season, Tomlin underwent elbow surgery. He had not completely recovered from it by the beginning of the 1994 season, but he still began the year as a starter for the Pirates.<ref>{{cite webmagazine|last=Wulf|first=Steve|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1994/04/04/nl-centralpittsburgh-pirates-in-need-of-a-call-to-arms|title=In Need of a Call to Arms|workmagazine=Sports Illustrated|date=April 4, 1994|accessdateaccess-date=December 28, 2020}}</ref> On April 23, he held the Braves to one runs over five innings and struck out six; though he did not get a decision, the Pirates won 6–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL199404230.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates at Atlanta Braves Box Score, April 23, 1994|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> After his start on May 10, he was moved to the bullpen in favor of prospect [[Jon Lieber]].<ref name="1994 Tomlin">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tomlira01&t=p&year=1994|title=Randy Tomlin 1994 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/tgl.cgi?team=PIT&t=p&year=1994|title=1994 Pittsburgh Pirates Pitching Game Log|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> On May 20, he entered a game against the [[Montreal Expos]] with nobody out in the eighth inning, runners on first and second, and the Pirates leading 3–2. He gave up back-to-back hits to [[Larry Walker]] and [[Moisés Alou]] and left with Pittsburgh trailing 5–3, which would be the final score.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT199405200.shtml|title=Montreal Expos at Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score, May 20, 1994|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> After that, he was sent to Buffalo, where he posted a 2–2 record and a 5.30 ERA in 11 starts.<ref name="minors"/> He was recalled by the Pirates later in the year but did not make an appearance, as the [[1994 Major League Baseball Strikestrike]] had already begun.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chass|first=Murray|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/23/sports/baseball-recalled-players-try-to-get-pay-back.html|title=Baseball; Recalled Players Try to Get Pay Back|work=The New York Times|date=September 23, 1994|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> In 10 games (four starts) for Pittsburgh, he had an 0–3 record, a 3.92 ERA, 17 strikeouts, 10 walks, and 23 hits in {{frac|20|2|3}} innings pitched. After the season, the Pirates chose not to resign him, making him a [[free agent]].<ref name="reference"/>
 
==Back to the minor leagues==
Tomlin did not pitch in 1995.<ref name="minors"/> On January 17, 1996, Tomlin signed a minor league contract with the [[Boston Red Sox]] that included an invitation to spring training.<ref>{{cite web|page=3C|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1914&dat=19960118&id=xtYgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BWsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1338,2609893|title=Red Sox announce signings|work=The Sun-Journal|date=January 18, 1996|accessdateaccess-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref> He failed to make the team and pitched for the Triple-A [[Pawtucket Red Sox]] of the International League, losing two games and posting an 8.31 ERA in five games (two starts).<ref name="minors"/> Tomlin also made six relief appearances for the [[Nashua Hawks]] of the [[Independent baseball league|independent]] [[North Atlantic League]]; though his record was 0–1, his ERA was 1.42.<ref name="minors"/> In 1997, he made 16 appearances (15 starts) for the [[Duluth-Superior Dukes]] of the independent [[Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010)|Northern League]], posting a 3–10 record, a 6.31 ERA, 59 strikeouts, 29 walks, and 107 hits allowed in 77 innings.<ref name="minors"/> The 10 losses tied for the league lead with Steve Renko, Jr.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?type=pitch&id=4bb7edd0|title=1997 Northern League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref>
 
==Career statistics, pitching style==
During his major league career, Tomlin had a 30-31 in 94 career starts with 297 strikeouts. He posted a 3.43 ERA, allowing 590 hits and walking 133 in {{frac|580|1|3}} innings.<ref name="reference"/> The [[Associated Press]] called him "the ultimate Met killer" because of his success against that team; he won all nine of his decisions against New York.<ref name="Met killer">{{cite web|page=3B|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19920613&id=bPVHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=roAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=856,3731222|title=Pirates 3, Mets 2|work=The Victoria Advocate|date=June 13, 1992|accessdateaccess-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://stathead.com/baseball/game_finder.cgi?request=1&match=basic&order_by_asc=0&order_by=SO&series=any&series_game=any&min_year_game=1990&max_year_game=1994&as=result_pitcher&class=player&offset=0&type=p&number_matched=1&id=tomlira01&team_id=ANY&opp_id=NYM&Role=anyGS&DEC=any&throws=any&is_birthday=either&location=pob&locationMatch=is&game_length=any&HV=any&temperature_min=0&temperature_max=120&wind_speed_min=0&wind_speed_max=90|title=Pitching Game Finder — Randy Tomlin (New York Mets)|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdateaccess-date=December 29, 2020}}</ref>
 
Tomlin was not a power pitcher, relying on full use of the [[strike zone]] to get batters out.<ref name="Catching Up"/> In a 2008 interview with ''The Washington Times'', he described his pitching style: "I mainly tried to get ground balls. I threw a fastball that moved a lot and I had a big curveball and a sweeper - more of a slider - and a change-up. I mixed my pitches. I didn't throw overly hard; when I tried to throw hard my ball straightened out, so I had to throw strikes and change speeds. That's the name of the game - throwing the ball over the plate and changing speeds - that's how you get guys out ... if you're not blessed with being able to throw 95."<ref name="Catching Up"/>
 
==Coaching career==
After his season with Duluth-Superior, Tomlin became the pitching coach at Liberty University from 1997 through 2006.<ref name="Catching Up">{{cite web|last=LeBlanc|first=Jay|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/national-pastime/2008/Jun/13/catching-up-with-randy-tomlin|title=Catching Up With Randy Tomlin|work=The Washington Times|date=June 13, 2008|accessdateaccess-date=December 30, 2020|url-status=dead|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103174429/http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/national-pastime/2008/jun/13/catching-up-with-randy-tomlin/|archivedatearchive-date=2012-11-03}}</ref> Then, Hehe thenserved wentas ona tominor become theleague pitching coach forin the [[Washington Nationals]] affiliatesystem, [[Potomacfirst Nationals]] offor the Single-A advanced[[Potomac Carolina League fromNationals]] (2007-200808) and thethen pitchingfor coach of Nationals doubleDouble-A affiliate [[Harrisburg Senators]] of the [[Eastern League (baseball)|Eastern League]] from 2009-201111).<ref name="Catching Up"/><ref name="High School"/><ref name="Quade">{{cite web|last=Kerr|first=Byron|url=https://www.masnsports.com/byron-kerr/2020/07/all-in-the-family-as-quade-tomlin-signs-with-the-nats.html|title=All in the family as Quade Tomlin signs with the Nats|work=MASN|date=July 3, 2020|accessdateaccess-date=December 30, 2020}}</ref> After the 2011 season, he became the head coach at Liberty Christian Academy in [[Lynchburg, Virginia]], a position that enabled him to spend more time with his family.<ref name="High School">{{cite web|last=Bristol|first=Jason|url=http://www.whptv.com/content/Dauphin/story/Tomlin-to-coach-high-school-baseball/4Tr5JAe4YEqOD2Jzevw9lw.cspx|title=Former Senators coach Randy Tomlin to coach high school team|work=WHPV TV|date=December 22, 2011|access-date=January 27, 2021|url-status=dead|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704062804/http://www.whptv.com/content/Dauphin/story/Tomlin-to-coach-high-school-baseball/4Tr5JAe4YEqOD2Jzevw9lw.cspx|archivedatearchive-date=July 4, 2013}}</ref> In March 2024, Tomlin was named coach of the Charlottesville Tom Sox, a member of the collegiate summer baseball Valley League.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tomsox.org/randy-07tomlin-04scott-stricklin-headline-charlottesville-tom-sox-coaching-staff/ | title=Randy Tomlin & Scott Stricklin Headline Charlottesville Tom Sox Coaching Staff | date=March 25, 2024 }}</ref>
 
==Personal life==
While Tomlin was pitching for Watertown, he met Janet Belch, whom he would marry in 1990.<ref name="Interview"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Busler|first=Mel|url=https://www.wwnytv.com/2020/08/14/mels-sports-history-randy-tomlins-budding-career/|title=Mel’sMel's Sports History: Randy Tomlin’sTomlin's budding career|work=WWNY|date=August 14, 2020|accessdateaccess-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> They have three children: son KoiCoy, daughter Ellison, and son Quade.<ref name="Interview"/> In 2020, Quade was signed by the Nationals as an [[undrafted free agent]].<ref name="Quade"/> Though not raised inattending a religious[[Presbyterian]] familychurch, Tomlin became a [[born-again Christian]] while attending Liberty University.<ref name="Interview"/>
 
==References==
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Watertown Pirates players]]
[[Category:Harrisburg Senators players]]
[[Category:Salem Buccaneers players]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players]]
[[Category:Carolina Mudcats players]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Pirates players]]
[[Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Liberty Flames baseball players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Cecil County, Maryland]]
[[Category:People from Worcester County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Duluth-Superior Dukes players]]
[[Category:Converts from Presbyterianism]]
[[Category:Converts to Baptist denominations]]
[[Category:Converts to evangelical Christianity]]