Dennis O'Grady: New York State of Mind
Think about all the great rivalries in sports. Rivalries bring cities together, uniting thousands of people in one moment against a hated foe. So, which one is the best?
The game of baseball wouldn't be the same without New York and Boston: the Evil Empire versus The Idiots, David versus Goliath, the "pretty boys" from the big Broadway city (whose greatness speaks for itself with 27 world championship rings) versus the tough, hard-nosed, blue collar town of Boston (who resembled the little brother trying to gain respect, until 2004 when "The Curse" was lifted).
Or how about, the Los Angeles Lakes versus the Boston Celtics? Bird versus Magic, style and flash versus blood and sweat, glamour against rugged, new school versus old school.
Maybe you're a fan of college football and The Ohio State University taking on The University of Michigan suites you. Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, the scarlet and grey versus the maize and blue.
Then there is Duke and UNC. When Duke and North Carolina basketball square off, the nation watches. It is arguably the most exciting, thrilling, dramatic college basketball action throughout America. The 79 combined NBA first round draft picks speaks for itself. The 44 first round picks from Tar Heel nation are the most in ACC history. The two schools have combined for nine NCAA national titles, 36 Final Four appearances, 48 regular season ACC titles and 36 ACC Tournament titles.
Yet, former Duke Blue Devil, Dennis O'Grady knows the rivalry between the two schools goes beyond the basketball court
Separated by nine miles of Tobacco Road, Duke and UNC is as intense as advertised.
"Duke and North Carolina is everything a fan would hope for in a rivalry. In every sport, those games are always circled, so there was always extra emphasis on those games. The emotion and passion during those games make that rivalry special." Dennis O'Grady said.
The right-hander quickly learned the intensity of ACC baseball.
He began his collegiate career in 2008 with a bang, hurling a scoreless streak of 17 2/3-innings which was eventually snapped during his seventh appearance. O'Grady was used as a two-way player during his freshman year appearing in 12 relief situations and recorded two starts. In addition he had six starts in the field. He led all Blue Devil pitchers with a 7.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio (0.89 walks per nine innings).
In the field, O'Grady wasn't too shabby either. In his six starts at second base, he made only one error in 36 chances.
As a sophomore in 2009, he appeared on the ACC Academic Honor Roll and was Duke's second most used reliever, making 23 appearances out of the bullpen.
Notching 45.1 innings of work out of the bullpen, striking out 39 against 18 walks. The work horse proved he was one of the best pitchers on the squad hurling more than one frame in 19 games.
O'Grady started 12 games in the field as well, appearing in 17 games as a position player overall. He batted .238 with seven RBIs and eight runs while slugging .405 on two doubles, a triple and a home run.
That summer O'Grady played for the Brainerd Area Lakes Lunkers in the Northwoods League. He tossed a 1.58 ERA over 74 innings and showcased a 6-1 record. He held hitters to a .184 batter average and was ranked among the top five in the league in ERA, opponent batting average, opponent OBP and opponent SLG%.
In 2010, he was again named to the All-ACC Academic Baseball Team, and was an ACC Academic Honor Roll selection while also being one of the most versatile players in Duke's lineup. He started 41 games in the field and 11 on the hill. He recorded 14 multi-hit games and posted a 10-game hitting streak.
In a win over Presbyterian, he drove in a career-high five RBIs with only one official at bat. O'Grady proved to be extremely productive with two outs, hitting .311.
To think it all started in the heart of New York City, the city when the lights shine brightest on superstars.
O'Grady attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, N.Y. where he was named a First-Team All-CHSSA as a senior in baseball. He was named Queens Courier Player of the Year in 2006 while also collecting Molloy Baseball MVP honors. The 5'9", 204 lbs. flame thrower, was a three-year letterman and a two-time all-city selection at second base and one-time selection as a pitcher. He compiled a combined 15-3 record during his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, he went 7-2 with a 2.25 ERA recording 50 strikeouts against 15 walks through 60 frames of work.
O'Grady was not only effective on the mound, but at the dish as well. Batting .375 with six HRs and 55 RBIs as a senior, O'Grady proved he could do it all.
During his junior year, he posted an 8-1 record while notching a 2.00 ERA in 63 innings of work. Fanning 55 batters while walking only 18, O'Grady continued his dominance in all facets of the game. He was superb at the plate as well, hitting .350 with three home runs and 45 RBIs.
Yet, O'Grady wasn't just a dominating force on the diamond or in the classroom, he could play some hoops too.
O'Grady lettered in basketball - earning team MVP in 2005: averaging 10 points and five assists per game, while playing with former Louisville standout and current New Orleans Pelicans guard, Russ Smith.
Smith had an excellent career at Louisville, winning the 2013 National Championship, while earning Big-East All-Tournament honors, All-Conference honors and All-American honors.
The two still keep in touch and they both drive each other to be successful.
"Last year I texted him before a game in the Big East tournament, when our high school coach (Jack Curran) passed away, I told him to have a good game for coach."
The response was simple.
"I got this," Russ Smith texted back.
Smith led Louisville to the Big East semifinals with a win over Villanova, scoring a game-high 28 points on 12 shots, knocking down four from beyond the three-point line. He also contributed to the relentless defensive pressure, a nightmare for Villanova, causing 25 Wildcat turnovers.
"He dominated that game. It was important for him and it was amazing to watch."
"He knows what I'm doing and I know what he's doing. We still keep tabs on each other." O'Grady went on.
Although, Russ never did step in the box to face O'Grady.
Jokingly O'Grady said, "I wouldn't have recommended it."
Now with the Chihuahuas, O'Grady has continued his dominance with all of the experience he gained while playing the field and taking hacks.
"Having the opportunity to swing it at the college level has helped me a ton. Knowing what a batter is probably thinking during the middle of an at-bat is huge. I have been in those situations as the batter - when I wanted to be aggressive and take my hacks. Now as a pitcher, I know how aggressive a batter will be, giving me the opportunity to throw a pitch a bit off the plate to try and make the hitter chase." O'Grady said.
O'Grady continued, "Also the experience playing the field has helped me. I am an athlete on the mound. I feel comfortable fielding my position when a guy squares up to bunt. I love it, because I feel confident it will be an easy out."
O'Grady is 5-1 with a 3.98 ERA this year, striking out 30 victims. The New Yorker has competed well at Southwest University Park, notching a 3.80 ERA compared to 4.19 ERA when battling on the road.
"It's got to be the fans. There are 8,000 to 9,000 people here a night and not only are they present but they are into the game. There are other stadiums with the same amount of fans, but the fans aren't paying attention. These fans know their baseball, and they love their baseball."
O'Grady continued, mentioning the rain delay on July 22nd when the Sacramento River Cats came to town to face off with the Chihuahuas.
"The other night, it rained before the game for two hours and we didn't start the game until 8 p.m. and no one left. It is extremely special to be playing in this atmosphere. It is like playing a big league game in a minor league park."
Purchase your tickets now to watch Dennis O'Grady and the Chihuahuas play at Southwest University Park. For more information on 2014 Full Season Seat Information, please email [email protected] or call (915) 242-2000.
Fun Facts
- O'Grady was drafted by the San Diego Padres out of Duke University in the 34th round of the 2011 draft