When reliever Matt Daley boards the Rockies’ charter after today’s game, he will fight off goose bumps.
Daley grew up in New York, in Queens. His family lives on Long Island. To play against the Mets is nothing short of a “pinch me” experience. He is expecting at least 100 friends and family members to attend each game of the four-game series at Citi Field.
“When I was a kid, I would always pretend to pitch the bottom of the ninth for the Mets and strike out the hitter with bases loaded in the World Series,” said Daley, who has a 3.67 ERA in 26 games. “This is going to be a great experience.”
Part of him wishes the Mets had moved to their new digs next year. Daley spent a chunk of his childhood at Shea Stadium, admiring Mike Piazza, among others. He still has a program with autographs from John Franco, Al Leiter and Charlie O’Brien.
“I know everyone thought Shea was a dump, but I liked it,” said Daley, an undrafted free agent from Bucknell who received a zero-dollar signing bonus and has carved out a key setup role in the Rockies’ bullpen. “My mom said I won’t believe how many people are going to be there. It’s just really cool.”
Money matters.
Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba is scheduled to attend a hearing Tuesday in New York regarding his grievance against the Mets.
Following the 2007 season, Torrealba said he agreed to a three-year, $14.4 million deal with the Mets, signing a term sheet. The Mets say they did not reach an agreement, and broke off negotiations.
Torrealba returned to the Rockies on a two-year, $7.5 million deal. Torrealba is looking to recoup the lost money on the difference between the contracts. The Mets’ sudden reversal on Torrealba led to speculation they had concerns about his right shoulder. But they never publicly disclosed that Torrealba failed his physical.
Resolution in these types of grievances usually is slow and they often are settled for a percentage of the disputed amount.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
