In the Spring of 2004, two of my best friends and I travelled to the Orlando area to take in some Spring Training games. Braves games were on the agenda and at the time, Dan Meyer, a fellow James Madison alum was mentioned as having an outside chance to make the big-league club.
At one point, partially-inebriated, moderately bloated on hot dogs, and fully sun-burned, we made our way over to a low wall where Meyer and several other young Braves were standing. We called out to him, referencing the JMU Dukes. Meyer turned, very politely shook our hands and called us "sir" during a brief conversation where we wished him good fortune and he expressed his thanks. In addition to wondering when we became "sirs" to professional baseball players, we left the encounter as permanent Dan Meyer fans and have followed his career ever since.
While we looked forward to someday seeing him pitch regularly in NL East matchups, we were also happy to see him gain an opportunity to join the rotation of the Oakland Athletics, a possibility that came about after Meyer was included in a trade that sent Tim Hudson to the Braves in the 2004-2005 offseason.
To this point, the 2005 season has not been kind to Meyer. His season has been temporarily derailed by a shoulder injury, but if all goes well, he should return to action in a few weeks, and hopefully get himself in a position to help out the big-league club later on in the summer.
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Dan via email, during which Meyer discusses similarities between the Braves and A's, the quality of college baseball, the '93 Phillies, and his inner desire to impress the fairer sex with his batting skills.
Where did you grow up? How did you get started in baseball? Were you always a pitcher? Who were your baseball heroes as a kid?
I grew up in a small town, Mickleton NJ, its about 10 mins from the city of Philadelphia. I got started playing baseball as a kid because my friends all got into it and of course I didn’t want to be left out, plus I enjoyed it. I played outfield and pitched. I liked outfield more when I was a kid but now that I understand the game a lot more, pitching is better. My baseball heroes were some of the old school Philadelphia Phillies like John Kruk, Lenny Dykstra, and Darren Daulton.
What was it like playing baseball in the Colonial Athletic Conference and at JMU? How was the quality of the competition?
The quality of competition was very high when I played at JMU and the CAA was an elite conference at that time, it put me in situations that prepared me to pitch at a high level in minors. There is no competition like the Cape Cod League though, because that is the elite at every conference and more like the minors with the wooden bat.
When did you begin to think you could play baseball for a living?
Really didn’t think about it until about summer of my sophomore year when I played in the Cape Cod League and started getting some inquiries from different scouts. I went to JMU for the education because I was not planning on a [baseball] future but I have been blessed enough to have things work out for me.
Do you think you have any advantages having played college baseball as opposed to going into the minors straight out of high school?
I really don’t have a strong opinion either way. I have seen both sides work out for people. The only thing that I feel is tough is if a person signs out of high school and baseball doesn’t work out then they have nothing to fall back on right away. That person would have to go to college and could not jump into the real world until later. However if someone does sign out of high school they have a lot more time to develop and play than does a college player. A college player needs to produce and does not have the leeway of a bad year.
You have been in the A's and Braves organizations, two very different but successful organizations...what are some of the similarities and differences that you can see, from a player's standpoint?
These two organizations are very similar in the fact that they are very pitcher friendly. Both are very successful and very classy organizations. Both organizations have a lot of success developing pitchers and making them solid major league pitchers. 
When you were in the Atlanta organization, did you get to work with Leo Mazzone or Bobby Cox much? If so, what did you learn from them?
I did not get to work with Leo or Bobby to much just about a month. The big influences on me within the Braves organization was our roving pitching instructors Rick Adair and Mike Alvarez.
How did you learn you were traded?
I received a phone call from the Braves Director of Player Development Dayton Moore and as soon as I heard him I knew. I had been hearing different stuff throughout the media as well as my agent telling me it might happen so I was expecting it but it still hit me hard a little bit.
Without giving anything away, what do you feel is your best strength as a pitcher?
I feel my best strength as a pitcher my ability to play every inning with the same intensity as if the game was on the line. I might not have the electric stuff some pitchers have but everyone has to use what they have to succeed.
Is there a pitch you wish you could throw but don't? Is there anyone's style you try to emulate?
I wish I had the big Barry Zito curveball that just buckles hitters. I don’t not try to emulate anyone in particular, I just try to to keep solid mechanics that have been taught to me.
How did your injury come about and what is your prognosis? Timetable for return? Rehab?
I originally pulled a muscle in my shoulder during spring training but I didn’t say anything but I was supposed to be fighting for a job in the rotation. That was a big mistake because I changed mechanically to compensate for pain and it only got worse. The best thing for me is that I didn’t not severely hurt myself in my act of stupidity so hopefully things will back to normal at soon. Time table for my return is mid-June.
How is your daily routine different now that you are on the injured list, rather than when you are healthy?
I try not to change too much. Of course some things such as throwing program and weigh lifting are changed due to my injury but I try not to sway from my daily routine.
Now, sort of a "lightning round"...
Toughest hitter you faced in college? – Nic Jackson (Richmond)
Toughest hitter you faced in the minors? – Conor Jackson (Diamondbacks)
Toughest hitter you faced in the majors? – Cliff Floyd (Mets)
Did you get to follow the Dukes ride to the national football championship? – All the way!
When you hear "chicks dig the long ball", what is your best comeback? Give me a bat………
