SAN DIEGO — Matt Daley is in the big leagues because he was small.
As a high school freshman, the Rockies right-handed reliever stood 5-feet-1 and weighed 95 pounds. It didn’t create a Napoleon complex as much as a laser focus for a reliever whose role keeps growing in the Colorado bullpen.
He recorded the final two outs in the ninth inning of a tie game Tuesday, but then took the loss in the 10th giving up his first hit — a game-winning double by Brian Giles — in four appearances.
“I was pretty much told by every coach growing up that I was not good enough,” said Daley, a relative beanstalk now at 6-2. “I felt I was good enough, and it kind of spurred me on, made we want to prove everyone I could do it.”
Vindication has come from the dirt road less-traveled. A Bucknell graduate, he spent the better part of three seasons with Double-A Tulsa. At 26, he realized his dream last month, summoned from Triple-A Colorado Springs when Ryan Speier went on the disabled list.
His parents John and Lynn, brother Andrew, girlfriend and five cousins were in Denver on April 25 for his debut. He gave them the ball from his first batter faced and his first strikeout.
Manager Clint Hurdle has been impressed.
“He’s not afraid to throw inside with his 90-mph fastball. He’s got guts,” Hurdle said.
Scouts say his delivery — he appears to be in a batting stance — creates deception that couples nicely with good location on his sinker.
“Once you get into the flow, you realize it’s the same game,” Daley said. “It’s getting over the mental aspect that you are actually doing something you have been fighting for your entire life.”
A tall order.
When interleague play began over a decade ago, Randy Johnson was mocked for not pitching at Coors Field. At 45, he’s the one still laughing. The Giants left-hander pitches in Denver tonight.
“Everyone says he’s one of the great power pitchers, but he’s just a great pitcher,” Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs said. “He has a great slider, a cutter, and it’s not like you face a lot of 6-foot-10 guys.”
Error-free.
Catcher Chris Iannetta has not made an error in 147 consecutive games.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
