Army West Point Athletics
Rowley ’13 Impresses In MLB Debut
August 12, 2017 | Baseball
Twitter Reaction
TORONTO – Army West Point baseball alum Chris Rowley had a memorable Major League Baseball debut Saturday afternoon in front of more than 46,000 fans at Rogers Centre.
After getting the call that most young boys dream about late Thursday night, Rowley had one day to prepare for the biggest game of his career up until this point. But the 2013 graduate did not disappoint. He finished 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and just one run, while sprinkling in three strikeouts during his time on the hill. And by the way, he also earned the win after his team backed him with seven runs in the victory over the Pirates.
As anyone would be when making their MLB debut, Rowley had some nerves prior to first pitch. But for this First Lieutenant it was nothing he couldn't overcome.
"I felt pretty calm, I got pretty nervous last night in anticipation but once I got out there and started throwing, I felt calm for the most part," Rowley said. "When I came off the field, I got a little emotional. That was a pretty cool experience. When you've got 45,000 people standing on their feet, that's the first time I've ever seen that in person. That was pretty cool."
The Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was also happy with the performance his rookie provided.
"Awesome, really, and we've been looking for that, Gibbons said." "He looked very confident out there. He had good life on his fastball, good sink to his fastball. Threw some good breaking balls. A debut is never easy but I thought he did a tremendous job. He ought to feel proud of himself and excited."
Rowley became the first West Point graduate to throw a pitch in the major leagues and was the 13th pitcher in Blue Jays history to win his debut on the mound and the first since 2012.
Press Clips
Unconventional runs back Rowley's MLB debut - MLB.com
West Point graduate Chris Rowley wins MLB debut - ESPN.com
US Army Veteran Chris Rowley Allows 1 Run Through 5.1 Innings in MLB Debut - Bleacher Report
Rookie Rowley sparks Blue Jays past Pirates -Toronto Star
West Point graduate Chris Rowley dazzles in Major League debut - NBC Sports
On duty: Army vet sizzles in fantastic debut - MLB.com
Rowley stars in debut as Jays beat Buc - TSN
Rowley shines in Blue Jays convincing win - Toronto Sun
MLB Saturday scores, highlights, updates, news - CBS Sports
Former first lieutenant, Rowley wins debut MLB start - Sporting News
TORONTO – Army West Point baseball alum Chris Rowley had a memorable Major League Baseball debut Saturday afternoon in front of more than 46,000 fans at Rogers Centre.
After getting the call that most young boys dream about late Thursday night, Rowley had one day to prepare for the biggest game of his career up until this point. But the 2013 graduate did not disappoint. He finished 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and just one run, while sprinkling in three strikeouts during his time on the hill. And by the way, he also earned the win after his team backed him with seven runs in the victory over the Pirates.
As anyone would be when making their MLB debut, Rowley had some nerves prior to first pitch. But for this First Lieutenant it was nothing he couldn't overcome.
"I felt pretty calm, I got pretty nervous last night in anticipation but once I got out there and started throwing, I felt calm for the most part," Rowley said. "When I came off the field, I got a little emotional. That was a pretty cool experience. When you've got 45,000 people standing on their feet, that's the first time I've ever seen that in person. That was pretty cool."
The Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was also happy with the performance his rookie provided.
"Awesome, really, and we've been looking for that, Gibbons said." "He looked very confident out there. He had good life on his fastball, good sink to his fastball. Threw some good breaking balls. A debut is never easy but I thought he did a tremendous job. He ought to feel proud of himself and excited."
Rowley became the first West Point graduate to throw a pitch in the major leagues and was the 13th pitcher in Blue Jays history to win his debut on the mound and the first since 2012.
Press Clips
Unconventional runs back Rowley's MLB debut - MLB.com
West Point graduate Chris Rowley wins MLB debut - ESPN.com
US Army Veteran Chris Rowley Allows 1 Run Through 5.1 Innings in MLB Debut - Bleacher Report
Rookie Rowley sparks Blue Jays past Pirates -Toronto Star
West Point graduate Chris Rowley dazzles in Major League debut - NBC Sports
On duty: Army vet sizzles in fantastic debut - MLB.com
Rowley stars in debut as Jays beat Buc - TSN
Rowley shines in Blue Jays convincing win - Toronto Sun
MLB Saturday scores, highlights, updates, news - CBS Sports
Former first lieutenant, Rowley wins debut MLB start - Sporting News
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