T.J. O’Leary grew up in Bayside, New York. playing baseball and soccer for Archbishop Molloy High School. T.J. had above average velocity sitting between 88-92 MPH during his high school career, allowing him to become the ace pitcher as a sophomore. During his senior year, O’Leary assisted his team to a win in the 2002 CHSAA city championship against national powerhouse Xaverian High School.
O’Leary garnered heavy interest from Division I schools Villanova, UMASS, UCONN, University of Richmond, and Marist, ultimately deciding sign a National Letter of Intent as a dual sport athlete with the University of New Haven to play under legendary coach Frank “Porky” Vieria.
O’Leary pitched for the Chargers in the 2003-04 season. In the City Series Fall Classic that comprised of Yale University, Quinnipiac University, Southern Connecticut University and the University of New Haven, O’Leary threw a no hitter against Quinnipiac (a Division I Regional qualifying team) in a 2-0 victory. T.J. also led the Chargers to a NYCAC conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Division 2 Regional Championships.
After the sudden retirement of Coach Vieria from UNH, in 2005 O’Leary transferred to Cortland State, ranked 2nd nationally in the NCAA Preseason National polls. O’Leary worked primarily as a middle reliever for the Red Dragons and made two trips to the College World Series in 2005 and 2006. During the national title game in 2005, O’Leary pitched in a 3-2 loss facing current Detroit Tigers pitcher Jordan Zimmerman.
After suffering an injury in 2007, O’Leary red-shirted his senior year. Allowing T.J. to pursue his final requirements for his Bachelor’s degree in the spring of 2007. Following graduation, O’Leary worked in the field of marketing. In 2008, O’Leary enrolled at the University of Bridgeport to pursue a graduate degree in Business and anchored a pitching staff that finished ranked 5th in 2009 with a team ERA of 3.09.
After graduating with his MBA, O’Leary played for the Stratford Storm where he was awarded the Jon Vigilante Pitcher of the Year award in 2009 and 2010. At the conclusion of the2010 season, O’Leary was offered a position on Ireland’s National Team. The position allowed O’Leary to tour the United States, train in Dublin, Ireland, and participate in the European Championships from 2011-13. In 2011, O’Leary was named Pitcher of the Euro’s after blanking Hungary in a 10-0 complete game shutout in Barcelona, Spain.
Through the years, O’Leary has been involved in the Team Connecticut Baseball program coaching both George Springer and Matt Barnes, leading their U-14 team to a NABF National Championship. Starting in 2009, T.J has been giving individual pitching instruction for 8-18 year old’s in Connecticut and Maryland.
O’Leary has been a head coach of the U-13 and U-14 Mizuno Outlaws AAU program based out of Vienna, Virginia since 2017, also serving as the programs head pitching instructor. T.J. teaches middle school at Saint Agnes School and resides with his wife Jessica and two daughters in Arlington, Virginia.