Back in the Big Leagues

Mike O'Connor, BBA '02, joined the New York Mets' active roster this spring. He last played in the majors in 2008 for the Washington Nationals.

Pitcher Mike O'Connor, BBA '02, got a second shot in the major leagues this spring, when the New York Mets called him up from the minors and added him to the team's active roster.

The move, announced May 4, came after Mets rookie right-hander Pedro Beato was put on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow. Mr. O'Connor was called-up from the Buffalo Bisons, a Triple-A farm team for the Mets.

Mr. O'Connor, a 6-foot-3-inch, 187-pound left-handed pitcher last played in the majors in 2008, for the Washington Nationals. He had racked up 26 major league games, with 21 starts.

After college, Mr. O'Connor had been selected by the Montreal Expos in the seventh-round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. In 2005, he was named the Nationals' Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

At GW, the Ellicott City, Md., native still ranks as one of the baseball team's top players in categories including appearances, saves, and strikeouts. And he's just the fourth Colonial to play in the majors, joining the ranks of catcher John Flaherty, BA '91; first-base coach, manager, and infielder Sam Perlozzo, BS '73; and catcher Steve Korcheck, BS '54, MA '66, EdD '70.