When TJ Takats returns to Fifth Third Field this weekend, his cleats will cross the spot where his collegiate career changed forever just over a year ago.
The first baseman and outfielder helped BGSU baseball win the 2024 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Regular Season Championship before serving as the team’s leadoff batter in the 2025 season, carving out his spot as one of the faces of the program.
However, his collegiate journey was abruptly halted on May 2, 2025.
In the fifth inning of Bowling Green’s 8-3 win over Toledo at Fifth Third Field, Takats drove in a run on a sacrifice bunt. However, after an errant throw to first by Toledo starter Logan Jones, TJ Takats tumbled to the ground past the bag after he raced down the line, turning a routine play into a disaster.
The fluke incident resulted in a torn ACL and meniscus, along with cartilage damage to his right knee.
“The first question you just ponder is why? Why does that happen? Why now? Why to him? Why to us? Because I think that’s human nature,” BGSU head coach Kyle Hallock said. “I just don’t know how you wouldn’t ask that initially when it happens. It was a tough moment.”
The injury was not TJ Takats’ first major setback.
The former two-way ballplayer and star quarterback at Perrysburg High School tore his UCL in his left arm during a scrimmage before the start of his senior season, undergoing Tommy John surgery on April 7, 2023.
However, Hallock and the coaching staff remained committed to TJ Takats through that injury.
“[Hallock] was our first phone call when we told him that he was having Tommy John surgery,” Tom Takats, TJ Takats’ dad, said. “You’re kind of apprehensive at first, like what is this conversation going to be like? His first question was, ‘Who are you going to see?’ He said, ‘You’re going to the right place, and we’re going to stick with him, and he’s still our guy.’”
Hallock had his eyes on TJ Takats since his freshman year of high school, and their relationship has continued to blossom.
“Coach Hallock had a vision for me, and I mean, he’s the man. I wouldn’t be here without him. What he’s done for me is second to none, and I can’t thank him enough,” TJ Takats said. “First time I talked to him, I think I was 16 years old, a freshman in high school. Now, I’m 21. So, the relationship has grown each and every day, and I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me.”
After suffering his second major injury, this time playing for Hallock, TJ Takats did not have surgery on his right knee until 20 days later, mainly due to the swelling.
That started a tough road to recovery for the 6-foot-5 athlete, who did not walk on both feet for around six weeks after the surgery.
“It kind of gave me a different perspective of life, as us humans, the ones that are able to walk, kind of take that for granted. Just not taking the everyday things we can do for granted was a huge thing for me, and just trying to get better,” TJ Takats said. “At the end of the day, it’s God’s plan, and you just have to go after it.”
The recovery process had TJ Takats’ family question his difficult journey.
“His mom is a big believer in faith, as am I. But I will tell you this whole thing makes you question your faith, really. What are we doing wrong here? He does everything right, and this is what he wants to do with his life, and those are his aspirations,” Tom Takats said. “To see someone that young go through two major injuries like that, it’s tough. But at the end of the day, you just have to trust God’s plan, and that’s what we keep telling him.”
While working his way back in the fall, TJ Takats set a goal to return for the first series of the season against Georgia Tech.
Although he did not achieve that lofty hope, the junior set foot back on the diamond on Feb. 21 against Western Carolina, just nine months after his surgery.
“[TJ Takats’] recovery was consistent. It was taken in the present tense, one day at a time,” Hallock said. “Then, the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months. Then, the numbers started showing up in ways where our athletic training staff were kind of like, ‘This isn’t normal.’ I said, ‘He’s not normal.’”
The quick comeback even impressed his family.
“Honestly, he’s built a little different,” Tom Takats said. “I don’t know that many guys in any sport on this campus would have been back how he is in eight-and-a-half months with the extent of the injury that he had.”
TJ Takats’ relationship with his dad is special, as Tom Takats played collegiate baseball just 30 minutes up the road at Toledo.
“He showed me how to play the game. He was my biggest role model,” TJ Takats said. “He was my coach growing up through travel ball. He really showed me how to play the game the right way, and I can’t thank him enough.”
After battling through two major injuries, TJ Takats has also turned into a role model for his dad.
“He’s my hero. Having gone through some of the things he has, it’s tough,” Tom Takats said. “He’s a tough kid with what he’s gone through … We have a great relationship, and we’re blessed for that reason.”
One of the best moments of TJ Takats’ season happened on April 24, when he hit a home run against Toledo, his dad’s alma mater, to help the Falcons win the series opener against their rivals.
“Coach Hallock and I had a text message back-and-forth. He actually gave me the lineup card that I said was going to go on our kids’ wall of fame,” Tom Takats said. “It means a lot seeing them performing, especially against that school. We’ll always be Rocket fans, but while our son’s competing for the brown and orange, we’re Falcon fanatics.”
While there have been many moments of progression and bright spots during his junior campaign, Takats is still not back to 100% and is hitting just .212.
“It’s one of those things where we’ve had to take a deep breath and take a step back,” Tom Takats said. “He’s never been a kid that gets involved in stats and what he’s hitting. But unfortunately, you look at those things, and you look at right now what he’s doing, and it doesn’t tell the whole story.”
The biggest aspect of Takats’ game yet to return is his quick burst and acceleration, which likely won’t come back fully until next season, when he no longer has to wear a brace on his surgically repaired knee.
“In my mind, I see him getting stronger every day, and that’s the way he attacks things. That’s a testament to him,” Tom Takats said.
Now, 375 days after his major knee injury, TJ Takats will return to the site where it happened Tuesday, as the Falcons will battle Toledo at the home of the Toledo Mud Hens.
The return to Fifth Third Field has lingered in the minds of TJ Takats’ family.
“Her [TJ Takats sister, Wrigley] first question to me (when getting back from school) was, ‘Dad, do you think he’s going to have PTSD when he’s playing at Fifth Third Field this weekend?’” Tom Takats said. “Honestly, the experiences that he’s had, he’s the last guy that I would expect that would happen to. Just his football experience and playing in front of big crowds, it’s like he was born for that stuff.”
Hallock has also prepared for the moment.
“Being in the third base dugout this time, he’ll do baserunning, he’ll take batting practice and he’ll go over the spot. His cleats will go over the spot,” Hallock said. “After he does and after it happens, it will be a quick check-in. I’m expecting a nod, a smile and a thumbs up.”
Meanwhile, Takats has not focused on his return to Fifth Third Field and is instead concentrated on helping the Falcons continue their chase for a spot in the MAC Tournament as the season winds down.
“It really hasn’t crossed my mind too much,” TJ Takats said. “If I have to run through first base and something like that happens, maybe something will be going through my head. But I’m not trying to think about it too much, just go out there and play the game … Just trying to go out there and do what I have to do to help the team win. That’s the main goal, and I’m trying to do that to the best of my ability.”
