NewsRox's Daley making immediate impact
Hailing from Bucknell, hurler showing Bison belong in Majors
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com
05/06/09 2:40 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., proudly heralds itself as the nation's largest liberal-arts university.The school hasn't produced many Major Leaguers, but not many other schools can trump Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson. However, when White Sox pitcher Bob Keegan hung up his cleats after the 1958 season, the flow of Bison to the Majors all but stopped.
That's where Rockies right-handed rookie reliever Matt Daley comes in. When he debuted April 25, he became the second Bucknellian since Keegan to appear in a Major League game. Pitcher Eric Junge went 2-0 for the Phillies over the 2002 and '03 seasons.
No one is expecting Daley to eclipse Mathewson, and it'll be a long time until he can match Keegan. But his early appearances for the Rockies suggest he'll surpass Junge, not to mention become a key member of the bullpen. Daley has appeared in four games, and he didn't give up a hit over his first three innings. His only baserunners allowed have come via a hit batsman, two walks and a double, and he has three strikeouts.
Daley, assisted by a fine catch from Clint Barmes on a blooper in short right field, threw a spotless seventh inning in Monday night's 9-6 victory over the Padres. He followed that appearance with two big outs in the ninth Tuesday before he was tagged with the loss in the 10th frame.
From modest beginnings -- a non-drafted free agent in 2004 -- Daley has stated a case for increased responsibility on the relief staff.
"Don't underestimate his stuff because you don't get to the big leagues without being able to pitch," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's got guts, there's no doubt about it, and that probably has helped get him to this level. He's not afraid to pitch inside to anybody with his 90 mph fastball. He's very confident, very aggressive, believes in his location and trusts his stuff."
Not only did Daley, 26, pitch Bucknell into two NCAA tournament appearances -- 2001 and '03 -- but he learned to study while in college. Hurdle complimented Daley's knowledge and ability to follow scouting reports.
Daley's biggest adjustment has been pitching less frequently with the Rockies. He made five bunched-together appearances with Triple-A Colorado Springs before being called up April 22.
"You're one of the guys and you're pitching almost every other day or every day and getting used to pitching every day, it's definitely an adjustment," Daley said. "I prepare myself like I am going to pitch. And if I don't, the next day, prepare yourself like you're going to pitch that day. What I want is to keep pitching well, and then maybe there will be more opportunities."
Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
