SAN DIEGO (NEWS10) — The life of a Major League Baseball player is demanding, unpredictable and often unforgiving.
Since being drafted out of Siena College in 2014, Johnstown native and left-handed relief pitcher Matt Gage has been a part of eight big league organizations; four of which he was either released by or designated for assignment.
But throughout his whirlwind journey, Gage has handled the ups and downs with total class.
“When I’ve gotten optioned, when I’ve gotten designated, it’s a business move,” said Gage. “It’s easier to swallow when you look back at things and it’s, like, “Okay, there’s a reason they made the move.” And you just kinda move on from it. And it’s, like, “Where’s my next opportunity?” And then you go pitch. Sign a minor league deal, go pitch and then see if you can get back to the big leagues.”
That’s exactly the route Gage took this year with the Detroit Tigers. He was promoted from the Triple-A team on June 12, and one day later, was pitching in the majors for the first time in almost two years.
Despite not giving up an earned run in six appearances, Gage was DFA’d again on June 26.
But he stayed true to his mentality of looking for the next opportunity, and found one with the same organization that drafted him 11 years prior: the San Francisco Giants.
On July 18, Gage made his first appearance with the Giants, and faced the team he debuted in the bigs with back in 2022: the Toronto Blue Jays.
“It’s a lot of full-circle moments coming together,” said Gage. “It’s been great [here]. A lot of guys have reached out to me that had been with the Giants organization when I ended up getting released [in 2018]. So, it’s been a lot of fun, and success definitely helps with having fun.”
Gage hasn’t just been successful with the Giants, he’s been borderline dominant. Over 15.1 innings of work, he’s sporting an earned run average of 1.17. He’s even served as an opener in two games – a role where a reliever will start the game, but only pitch an inning or two.
Gage’s first appearance in that role was truly special – a Capital Region product starting against the New York Mets. Gage was with New York briefly last season, but didn’t get to appear in a game. Suddenly, he was facing the Mets’ lineup, which was equipped with two hitters in the top of the order – Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto – who are on a Hall of Fame track.
“It was kinda funny because I met the [Mets players] for two days in the big leagues last year,” said Gage. “[Brandon] Nimmo and Lindor come up there and Lindor gives me a head nod like he remembers me, and I’m, like, “Brother, I had two days with you last year.” It was fun because it’s an organization that saw something in you. But then it’s just, like, “Okay, go out and get the job done.” The mound’s 60 feet, six inches. And with Nimmo, Lindor and Soto, it’s, “Okay, you gotta have your best stuff.” Luckily, I was able to do that.”
Gage retired the three hitters, in order, on just 10 pitches.
A 2011 graduate of Broadalbin-Perth High School, Gage is a shining example of the idea that talent can come from anywhere.
“I grew up in Broadalbin-Perth, and no one really thought that anything was gonna come about a small school like that,” said Gage. “All of a sudden, I’m sittin’ here, and I’m doin’ things that I only could’ve dreamed of when I was little.
And he’s sure to take the time to appreciate every stop along his journey.
“Every time I get to a new ballpark, I always go out early, go in the dugout and just look around, take it all in, because, again…this is on what dreams are made of. You never thought you’d be in this situation, so let’s take it all in.”
Gage’s path to the bigs was far from easy, but it’s one that could inspire the next generation of big-league hopefuls here in the Capital Region.
“Make the sacrifices, continue to improve and continue to chase the dream,” said Gage. “Your career’s so small and so short-lived; try to make the best of it when you can, because at some point, there comes a time that everyone’s told they can’t play the game anymore. As long as you continue to fight for it, you’ll continue to play. That’s the way I’ve always lived my life, and that’s the way I continue to chase my career. Hopefully I can get a couple more years out of it. We’ll see what happens.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
