Adelphi Draftee Models Game After Mariano Rivera

Dillon McNamara has emulated New York Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera for the past couple of years, and now the Adelphi University graduate will have a chance to be the closer of the future, as he was drafted by the Yankees in the 27th round.

McNamara was selected to a trio of All-America teams to go with three All-East Region nods and Northeast-10 All-Conference First Team accolades in 2013. He led the Northeast-10 Conferece in saves with 13, posted a microscopic 0.28 earned run average and threw 29.2 innings of relief before allowing an earned run. Adelphi's stopper set the program's single-season and career saves record en route to striking out 43 batters in 32 innings.

"My dad’s a diehard Yankees’ fan, so I have been to plenty of games," he said. "I had Yankees wallpaper in my room growing up."

McNamara is one of 11 players from the NE-10 selected in the 2013 draft. Franklin Pierce led the way with four players drafted, highlighted by ABCA and Daktronics East Region Pitcher of the Year Trevor Graham going to the Chicago Cubs in the 13th round. Southern New Hampshire had three players picked, while Adelphi, Merrimack, New Haven and UMass Lowell saw one player each get the call.

McNamara told Patch he was watching the draft for two days to see when his name would be called, and doubt started to creep in after some time.

"It’s very satisfying," he said. “It’s a huge relief too, because I’d been listening name after name for the past two days. You start to think it’s never going to happen. When it does, it’s hard to describe in words."

McNamara, who has gone through two surgeries, said he's very thankful the Yankees have given him this chance. He also sees himself as a closer in the long haul, something the Yankees will be in the market for due to the impending retirement of Mariano Rivera.

"I’ve been modeling myself after him for the past couple of years," McNamara said. "I’ve been throwing a cutter since high school. It’s unbelievable to follow in his footsteps."

McNamara throws four pitches...a fastball, cutter, change-up and slider. Currently, he's in Tampa Bay going through work-outs, and he's already met a number of Yankees that are currently rehabbing from injuries, including Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Curtis Granderson.

"I'm so excited for this opportunity," he said. "I'm ready to get started."

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