Knight Time Dream Comes True

By BRIAN LEWIS
Posted: 3:47 am
July 26, 2008

Posted by Tabloid Paige
Fantasy Basebabll News

Brandon Knight was sitting on his couch last May when opportunity knocked - or called, to be precise.

Somerset (N.J.) Patriots pitching coach and ex-teammate Brett Jodie was offering Knight a low-paying gig pitching in the Independent League. His wife had to convince him they could survive long enough for him to chase his dream one last time.


That dream becomes reality tonight when the 32-year-old righty makes his first major league appearance in six seasons, starting against the Cardinals in place of Pedro MartinezPedro Martinez , who buried his father yesterday.

"It's definitely been a roller coaster. It's amazing how life is," Knight said. "I was retiring last year. I was done. I was literally on the couch when Brett Jodie called and asked if I'd be interested in playing."

After recording a 10.71 ERA in 11 Yankee outings over 2001 and '02, Knight hadn't been back to the majors since. He spent two years in Japan, a season in Double-A and a vexing week in Mexico last April that convinced him to get a job.

When Jodie called offering $2,500 a month, Knight told his wife Brooke, "I don't think this is going to work. We can't live on that." She said give it a shot. 'If you don't, you're going to be really mad at yourself.' "

His best shot in Somerset earned him a minor-league deal from the MetsNew York Mets in May, and he went 5-1 at New Orleans with a 1.60 ERA, 49 strikeouts and just 10 walks in 39 innings.

He was named to the U.S. Olympic team and impressed then-Zephyrs pitching coach Dan Warthen, now with the Mets, enough he insisted they call him up.

"All I know is Dan Warthen saw him," Jerry Manuel said. "I'm looking forward to what he has to offer."

Insight:
The New York Mets purchased Knight’s contract in May 2008 and he has been playing for their Triple-A team in New Orleans. In ten games for New Orleans, Knight has a record of 4-1, a 1.89 ERA, 37 strikeouts, and one save.

Knight has Major League experience with the New York Yankees, where he pitched in seven games during the 2002 season. Knight also has six seasons of Triple-A experience in the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Mets organizations. He has a Minor League career ERA of 4.39 with 1,189 strikeouts in 1,301 innings over 294 games pitched.

Knight was 12-5 with a 4.03 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 91.2 innings pitched in 29 games for Somerset during the 2007 season. He was named the Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month for September 2007 with his 3-0 record, 1.59 ERA, and 24 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched over three games started.

brian.lewis@nypost.com