O'Day goes from walk-on to World Series
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 | Baseball, Volleyball, Scott Carter
Darren O'Day was once cut by the Gators after trying to make the team as a walk-on in 2002.
He is now in the World Series, a submarine-style reliever for the Texas Rangers.
A former standout at Bishop Kenny High in Jacksonville, O'Day switched from an overhand to submarine style pitching in an adult league in his hometown.
By the time he left UF in 2006, O'Day ranked second in school history in appearances (117) and fourth in saves (20). When it was time for the MLB amateur draft, nobody picked O'Day.
He later bounced around the minors but found a home in the Texas bullpen this season, making his mark as one of the setup men for Rangers closer Netfali Feliz.
“You're always confident in your ability, but it's hard to see the major leagues and World Series from a walk-on tryout in college,'' O'Day told the Florida Times-Union. “You never know what you can do. You just got to keep trying.''
To read more from the Times-Union on O'Day, click here, and to check out his official bio on MLB.com, click here.
Game 1 of the World Series is Wednesday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:57 p.m.
